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March 24, 2026
緘jiān(jian1)
The character 緘 (jiān) primarily means 'to seal' or 'to close', often used in the context of sealing letters or documents. It implies a sense of binding or securing something, whether it be a physical object or a message. In modern usage, it can also refer to a sealed letter or correspondence.
Strokes15Radical糹Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, sealing letters was a common practice to ensure privacy and security, reflecting the importance of confidentiality in communication. Sealing was often done with a unique stamp or wax, emphasizing personal touch.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sealed envelope (representing 'seal') tightly bound with a string. The radical 線 (xiàn) in the character suggests lines or threads, linking to 'binding'. Picture this envelope being 'jiān'-ed up to keep its contents safe.
Meanings of 緘
jiān(jian1)
1to seal, to close, to bind; a letter
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 緘
緘Simplified
15Strokes
糹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 緘
Podcast: 緘
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AI Study Notes for 緘
Quick Contrast
封 (fēng) — use 封 for 'to seal' in a broader or more common context, while 緘 is more specific to sealing documents or letters.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sealed envelope (representing 'seal') tightly bound with a string. The radical 線 (xiàn) in the character suggests lines or threads, linking to 'binding'. Picture this envelope being 'jiān'-ed up to keep its contents safe.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the pronunciation; the tone is crucial as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. Use '緘' in formal contexts, especially related to documents or letters. Common collocations include '緘信' (sealed letter).
HSK Study Tips
While '緘' is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 4 words related to communication, such as '信' (letter) and '封' (seal). Focus on recognizing it in formal writing or documents as you expand your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, sealing letters was a common practice to ensure privacy and security, reflecting the importance of confidentiality in communication. Sealing was often done with a unique stamp or wax, emphasizing personal touch.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '緘' with '封', using them interchangeably; for example, saying '我封信了' instead of '我緘信了' when referring to sealing a letter. Remember, '緘' is specifically for letters and formal contexts.
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Pronunciation of 緘
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Cultural Notes for 緘
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, sealing letters was a common practice to ensure privacy and security, reflecting the importance of confidentiality in communication. Sealing was often done with a unique stamp or wax, emphasizing personal touch.
Word Family of 緘
Words Containing This Character3
缄默to keep silent緘默
缄jiāncup椷
缄口不言to censor緘口不言
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 缄默 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 緘
No, '緘' is more commonly found in written language, especially in formal or legal contexts.
While '封' refers to sealing something shut, '緘' specifically indicates the act of sealing letters or documents.
It's recommended to use '緘' in formal writing or when discussing official documents, rather than in casual texts.
