Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
槿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
槿jǐnhibiscusx, 15 strokes, radical 木
槿jǐnHibiscus syriacusunknown, 15 strokes, radical 木
槿jǐntransientunknown, 15 strokes, radical 木
jǐn(jin3) T3
  1. 1hibiscus
  2. 2Hibiscus syriacus
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

槿jǐn(jin3)

The character 槿 (jǐn) refers to the hibiscus flower, particularly the species Hibiscus syriacus, which holds cultural significance in various regions. It can also denote the idea of something transient or ephemeral, often used in poetic contexts to symbolize beauty that does not last.

Strokes15Radical木
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the hibiscus flower is associated with summer and represents beauty, often celebrated in poetry and art. It is also the national flower of South Korea, highlighting its significance in East Asian cultures.

Memory Tip

Imagine a beautiful hibiscus flower (represented by 槿) that blooms vividly but only for a short period, reminding you of the fleeting nature of beauty. The left component 木 (mù) represents wood or tree, hinting at the plant's nature, while the right side suggests the complexity of its delicate flower.

Meanings of 槿

jǐn(jin3)
1hibiscus
2Hibiscus syriacus
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 槿

槿Simplified
15Strokes
木Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 槿

JasonAmy

Podcast: 槿

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 槿

Usage Notes

While 槿 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it can appear in literature or discussions about flowers and nature. Be cautious with the tone, as it can be easily confused with other words if pronounced incorrectly. Common collocations include 槿花 (hibiscus flower) and its usage in poetry.

HSK Study Tips

Although 槿 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it can enrich your understanding of nature-related terms. Focus on memorizing this character alongside other floral vocabulary to broaden your botanical lexicon in Mandarin.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 槿 with other similar-sounding characters like 斤 (jīn, meaning 'catty') or 金 (jīn, meaning 'gold'). Ensure you practice the correct tones and meanings to avoid such mix-ups.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 槿

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 槿 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 槿

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

tree

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)堇
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 槿

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half堇 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaytree
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 槿? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 槿?

Decomposition of 槿

IDS Structure⿰木堇
槿Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
堇jin3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 槿?

How to say hibiscus in Chinese

“hibiscus” in Chinese is槿jǐn

The character 槿 (jǐn) refers to the hibiscus flower, particularly the species Hibiscus syriacus, which holds cultural significance in various regions. It can also denote the idea of something transient or ephemeral, often used in poetic contexts to symbolize beauty that does not last.

When to use 槿

While 槿 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it can appear in literature or discussions about flowers and nature. Be cautious with the tone, as it can be easily confused with other words if pronounced incorrectly. Common collocations include 槿花 (hibiscus flower) and its usage in poetry.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 槿 with other similar-sounding characters like 斤 (jīn, meaning 'catty') or 金 (jīn, meaning 'gold'). Ensure you practice the correct tones and meanings to avoid such mix-ups.

Write 槿

槿

Practice writing 槿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 槿

槿 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

深深浅浅的各种木____色、丁香色、熏衣草色和紫色都是流行色。

All shades of mauve, lilac, lavender and purple were fashionable.

Example Sentences for 槿 (2)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
深深浅浅的各种木槿色、丁香色、熏衣草色和紫色都是流行色。

shēn shēn qiǎn qiǎn de gè zhǒng mù jǐn sè、 、 dīng xiāng、 sè 、 xūn yī cǎo sè hé zǐ sè dū shì liú。

All shades of mauve, lilac, lavender and purple were fashionable.
2
在原生境中，木槿能长到25英尺高。

zài yuán shēng jìng zhōng， ， mù jǐn néng cháng25 dào 25 yīng。

In its natural habitat, the hibiscus will grow up to 25ft.

Word Family of 槿

Words Containing This Character1
槿jǐntransient
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 槿 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 槿

It means 'hibiscus' and can also imply something transient or ephemeral.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 槿?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.