unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #76465, Very Hard
柬
Jiǎn
old variant of 揀|拣[jian3]
unknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #76465, Very Hard
Jiǎn(Jian3) T3
1abbr. for 柬埔寨[Jiǎn pǔ zhài], Cambodia
2card
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
柬Jiǎn(Jian3)
The character 柬 (jiǎn) primarily refers to a 'note' or 'letter,' often used in contexts involving written communication such as invitations or cards. It is also an abbreviation for 柬埔寨 (Jiǎn pǔ zhài), which means Cambodia. This character carries nuances of formality and can be used in both personal and professional settings.
Strokes9Radical木Frequency#76465DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sending a 柬 (note) for special occasions or formal events is quite common, reflecting the importance of written communication in maintaining relationships. Invitations for festivals or weddings often utilize this character.
Memory Tip
Imagine a letter (note) being smoothly handed over with a gentle flick of the wrist, reminiscent of the character's shape. The left side, with the tree radical (木), represents the paper (or note), while the right side suggests a smooth action, helping you remember the pronunciation 'jiǎn' as you envision passing a note.
Meanings of 柬
Jiǎn(Jian3)
1abbr. for 柬埔寨[Jiǎn pǔ zhài], Cambodia
2card
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 柬
柬Simplified
9Strokes
木Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#65535Frequency Rank
Podcast: 柬
Podcast: 柬
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AI Study Notes for 柬
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a letter (note) being smoothly handed over with a gentle flick of the wrist, reminiscent of the character's shape. The left side, with the tree radical (木), represents the paper (or note), while the right side suggests a smooth action, helping you remember the pronunciation 'jiǎn' as you envision passing a note.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 柬 with similar characters like 揀 (jiǎn) or 拣 (jiǎn), which can lead to misunderstandings. This character is typically used in written communications, so it leans towards a formal register. Common collocations include 柬信 (jiǎn xìn - note letter) or 请柬 (qǐng jiǎn - invitation).
HSK Study Tips
Although 柬 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to other characters related to communication and writing, such as 信 (xìn - letter) and 书 (shū - book). Focus on recognizing its usage in context and distinguishing it from similar characters.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sending a 柬 (note) for special occasions or formal events is quite common, reflecting the importance of written communication in maintaining relationships. Invitations for festivals or weddings often utilize this character.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 柬 with 揀 or 拣, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我写一个揀给你' (wǒ xiě yī gè jiǎn gěi nǐ - I write a selection for you) instead of '我写一个柬给你' (wǒ xiě yī gè jiǎn gěi nǐ - I write a note for you) can cause misunderstanding.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 柬
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Grammar Patterns of 柬
柬 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 2
Complete the Sentence
她弄到了一张首映之夜的请____。
She had wangled an invitation to the opening night.
Example Sentences for 柬 (2)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她弄到了一张首映之夜的请柬。
tā nòng dào le yī zhāng shǒu yìng zhī yè de qǐng jiǎn。
She had wangled an invitation to the opening night.
2
那天下午她发出了远远不止400份请柬。
nà tiān xià wǔ tā fā chū le yuǎn yuǎn bù zhǐ400 400 fèn qǐng。
She had sent out well over four hundred invitations that afternoon.
Cultural Notes for 柬
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, sending a 柬 (note) for special occasions or formal events is quite common, reflecting the importance of written communication in maintaining relationships. Invitations for festivals or weddings often utilize this character.
Word Family of 柬
Compounds20
练lian4to practice
炼lian4to refine
拣jian3to choose
阑lan2screen door, railing, fence
楝lian4Melia japonica
鍊lian4smelt metals, forge; refine
谏Jian4to admonish, to remonstrate
暕
湅
萰
堜
媡
徚
揀jian3to choose, to select; to gather, to pick up
朄
瑓
諫jian4to admonish, to remonstrate
闌lan2screen door, railing, fence
鰊
鶫
Words Containing This Character3
柬埔寨Cambodia
请柬qǐngjiǎninvitation card請柬
柬Jiǎncard
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 练 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 柬
While 柬 refers specifically to notes or letters, 揀 (jiǎn) means to select or pick, often related to choosing items or options.
Yes, 柬 can be used in both settings, but it is more commonly found in formal written communications.
