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簽 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
簽qiānto sign, to endorse; a note, a slip of paperzg, 19 strokes, radical ⺮
qiān(qian1) T1
  1. 1to sign, to endorse; a note, a slip of paper
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

簽qiān(qian1)

The character 簽 (qiān) primarily means 'to sign' or 'to endorse', often referring to signing documents or contracts. It can also denote a 'note' or 'slip of paper', typically used in contexts where written acknowledgment is required. This character conveys a sense of formal approval or consent.

Strokes19Radical⺮
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, signing documents is often seen as a serious commitment, reflecting the importance of trust and responsibility in personal and business relationships. The act of signing can also be accompanied by rituals or formalities, emphasizing respect.

Memory Tip

Imagine a pen (the radical '毛' - máo, resembling the pen tip) writing on a piece of paper (the radical '竹' - zhú, representing bamboo, which is used to make slips). Picture yourself 'signing' a crucial document to seal a deal, reinforcing the sound 'qiān' as you make your mark.

Meanings of 簽

qiān(qian1)
1to sign, to endorse; a note, a slip of paper
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 簽

簽Simplified
19Strokes
⺮Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 簽

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Podcast: 簽

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 簽

Quick Contrast

签 (qiān) vs 签署 (qiānshǔ) — use 簽 for informal signing or endorsement, while 签署 is specifically for formal signing of documents.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context when using 簽, as it is often associated with formal situations like contracts. A common mistake is to confuse it with 签名 (qiān míng), which specifically means 'signature', while 簽 alone can refer to the act of signing more generally. The tone should always be pronounced as the first tone: qiān.

HSK Study Tips

Although not an HSK word, 簽 could be relevant for learners at HSK 4 or above, especially those interested in legal or financial terminology. Focus on memorizing its usage in signing documents and how it relates to concepts like 签名 (qiān míng) for signatures.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 簽 with 票 (piào), which means 'ticket', thinking they can use 簽 in the context of buying tickets. Remember that 簽 relates to signing or endorsing, not purchasing.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 簽

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Etymology of 簽

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

Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 佥 represents the sound. Simplified form of 簽.

Memory Hint

bamboo

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 簽

Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 佥 represents the sound. Simplified form of 簽.

  1. 1The meaning half⺮ carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half僉 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaybamboo
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 簽? 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 簽?

Decomposition of 簽

IDS Structure⿱⺮僉
簽Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
僉qian1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 簽?

How to say to sign, to endorse; a note, a slip of paper in Chinese

“to sign, to endorse; a note, a slip of paper” in Chinese is簽qiān

The character 簽 (qiān) primarily means 'to sign' or 'to endorse', often referring to signing documents or contracts. It can also denote a 'note' or 'slip of paper', typically used in contexts where written acknowledgment is required. This character conveys a sense of formal approval or consent.

When to use 簽

Be mindful of the context when using 簽, as it is often associated with formal situations like contracts. A common mistake is to confuse it with 签名 (qiān míng), which specifically means 'signature', while 簽 alone can refer to the act of signing more generally. The tone should always be pronounced as the first tone: qiān.

簽 or something close to it

签 (qiān) vs 签署 (qiānshǔ) — use 簽 for informal signing or endorsement, while 签署 is specifically for formal signing of documents.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 簽 with 票 (piào), which means 'ticket', thinking they can use 簽 in the context of buying tickets. Remember that 簽 relates to signing or endorsing, not purchasing.

Write 簽

簽

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 簽

Words Containing This Character20
签qiānlabel籤
签名qiānmíngto autograph簽名
签署qiānshǔto sign (an agreement)簽署
签订qiāndìngto agree to and sign (a treaty etc)簽訂
签字qiānzìsignature簽字
签约qiānyuēto sign a contract or agreement簽約
标签biāoqiānlabel標籤
签到to register簽到
签证qiānzhèngvisa簽證
抽签chōuqiānto draw lots抽籤
签发to issue (a document)簽發
牙签toothpick牙籤
签定to sign (a contract, treaty etc)簽定
签收to sign for the acceptance of sth (e.g. a delivery etc)簽收
书签bookmark書籤
中签to win a ballot中簽
续签to renew a contract續簽
签字笔felt-tip pen簽字筆
题签to write the title of a book on a label題簽
签条label籤條
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 签 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 簽

簽 refers to the act of signing, while 签名 specifically means 'signature'.

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