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March 24, 2026
緩huǎn(huan3)
The character 緩 (huǎn) means 'slow' or 'gradual' and is often used to describe a pace or manner that is not rushed. It can also imply postponing or delaying an action or event, indicating a more relaxed or measured approach.
Strokes15Radical糹Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of '緩' is significant, as treatments often emphasize gradual healing processes rather than quick fixes, reflecting a holistic approach to health.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tortoise (which is slow) wearing a 'huge' (sounds like 'huǎn') belt, moving gradually along a winding path. The character 緩 features the radical 糸 (silk), suggesting something flowing gently, like silk threads moving slowly.
Meanings of 緩
huǎn(huan3)
1slow, gradual; to postpone, to delay
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 緩
緩Simplified
15Strokes
糹Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 緩
Podcast: 緩
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AI Study Notes for 緩
Quick Contrast
慢 (màn) - use 緩 (huǎn) when emphasizing a gradual or measured pace rather than just slowness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tortoise (which is slow) wearing a 'huge' (sounds like 'huǎn') belt, moving gradually along a winding path. The character 緩 features the radical 糸 (silk), suggesting something flowing gently, like silk threads moving slowly.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with tone, as 'huǎn' (缓) is different from 'huan' (欢) meaning 'happy.' This character is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as '缓解' (to alleviate) or '缓慢' (slow), so ensure to use it appropriately in written and spoken Chinese.
HSK Study Tips
Although this word does not appear in the HSK levels, it connects with words related to speed and time management like 快 (kuài - fast) and 迟 (chí - late). Students should focus on the context in which 緩 is used to express gradualness versus urgency.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of '緩' is significant, as treatments often emphasize gradual healing processes rather than quick fixes, reflecting a holistic approach to health.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 緩 with 慢 (màn), both meaning 'slow,' but they are used in different contexts. For example, saying '他很缓' (Tā hěn huǎn) is incorrect; it should be '他很慢' (Tā hěn màn) to mean 'He is very slow.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 緩
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Cultural Notes for 緩
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of '緩' is significant, as treatments often emphasize gradual healing processes rather than quick fixes, reflecting a holistic approach to health.
Word Family of 緩
Words Containing This Character20
缓解huǎnjiěto bring relief緩解
缓huǎnslow緩
缓慢huǎnmànslow緩慢
缓缓huǎnhuǎnslowly緩緩
缓和huǎnhéto alleviate緩和
缓刑probation緩刑
减缓to slow down減緩
延缓yánhuǎnto defer延緩
舒缓to relax舒緩
缓冲buffer緩衝
迟缓chíhuǎnslow遲緩
暂缓to postpone暫緩
刻不容缓kèbùrónghuǎnto brook no delay刻不容緩
轻重缓急sense of priority輕重緩急
平缓level平緩
缓期to defer緩期
缓步to walk slowly緩步
缓冲器buffer (computer science)緩衝器
缓存(computing) cache緩存
放缓to slow放緩
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 缓解 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 緩
You can say '他需要缓一点儿' (Tā xūyào huǎn yīdiǎn er), meaning 'He needs to slow down a bit.'
Synonyms include 慢 (màn - slow) and 迟缓 (chíhuǎn - sluggish).
Yes, but it's more common in formal contexts or written language compared to casual conversation.
