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March 24, 2026
狷(獧)juàn(juan4)
The character 狷 (juàn) describes a personality trait characterized by rashness, irritability, and impulsiveness. It can also connote a sense of uprightness in character, often implying a straightforwardness that may lead to hasty decisions. Commonly used in literary contexts, it reflects a strong emotional response rather than a calm or measured approach.
Strokes10Radical犭Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese thought, character and personality are highly valued, often viewed through the lens of Confucian ideals. The concept of being 'upright' yet 'rash' reflects the tension in striving for moral integrity while dealing with emotional impulses.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'rushed' lion (the radical 狼 represents animals), whose impulsive actions lead it to make brash decisions in the wild. The lion's 'rushed' personality helps you remember that 'juàn' sounds like 'juant' — think of a lion that can’t 'wait' to pounce, embodying rashness.
Meanings of 狷
juàn(juan4)
1rash, irritable, impulsive, impetuous
2upright (character)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 狷
狷Simplified
獧Traditional
10Strokes
犭Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 狷
Podcast: 狷
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AI Study Notes for 狷
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'rushed' lion (the radical 狼 represents animals), whose impulsive actions lead it to make brash decisions in the wild. The lion's 'rushed' personality helps you remember that 'juàn' sounds like 'juant' — think of a lion that can’t 'wait' to pounce, embodying rashness.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 狷 with similar characters that denote different aspects of personality. Make sure to use this term in contexts discussing character traits rather than physical actions. It is more common in literary or formal registers.
HSK Study Tips
Though not included in the HSK, understanding 狷 can deepen your grasp of character descriptions in advanced texts. Focus on its emotional implications and how it contrasts with more stable traits, as it can enhance your vocabulary for discussing personality in detail.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese thought, character and personality are highly valued, often viewed through the lens of Confucian ideals. The concept of being 'upright' yet 'rash' reflects the tension in striving for moral integrity while dealing with emotional impulses.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 狷 with characters that imply calmness or steadiness, like 温 (wēn, warm). For instance, saying '他是个温的人' (He is a warm person) when they mean to imply impulsiveness leads to misunderstanding; the correct phrase would be '他是个狷的人.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 狷
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Cultural Notes for 狷
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese thought, character and personality are highly valued, often viewed through the lens of Confucian ideals. The concept of being 'upright' yet 'rash' reflects the tension in striving for moral integrity while dealing with emotional impulses.
Word Family of 狷
Words Containing This Character1
狷juànnimble獧
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 狷 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 狷
It's commonly used in literary contexts to describe characters or individuals with impulsive traits.
Yes, words like 冲动 (chōngdòng, impulsive) and 愤怒 (fènnù, angry) can convey similar meanings in different contexts.
It can have a mixed connotation; while it often highlights negative impulsiveness, it may also suggest a strong, upright character in certain contexts.
