unknown, 9 strokes, radical 纟, rank #52156, Very Hard
绚
xuàn
gorgeous
unknown, 9 strokes, radical 纟, rank #52156, Very Hard
xuàn(xuan4) T4
1variegated, adorned; brilliant
2swift
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
绚(絢)xuàn(xuan4)
The character 绚 (xuàn) describes something that is adorned or decorated with a variety of colors, often conveying beauty or brilliance. It can be used to describe vibrant scenery, fashion, or artistic expressions, emphasizing visual splendor and richness. This term often appears in contexts related to aesthetics and artistry.
Strokes9Radical纟Frequency#52156DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'brilliance' is often associated with festivals and celebrations, where vibrant decorations play a crucial role. The character 绚 can evoke images of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, where colorful lanterns and decorations symbolize joy and prosperity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a stunning sunset (representing 'brilliant') with vibrant colors (representing 'variegated') painting the sky. The character 绚 has '丝' (silk) at the bottom, suggesting softness and beauty, while the top part reminds you of the colorful patterns in a rich tapestry, making it easier to remember the sound 'xuàn' and its meaning.
Meanings of 绚
xuàn(xuan4)
1variegated, adorned; brilliant
2swift
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 绚
绚Simplified
絢Traditional
9Strokes
纟Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 绚
Podcast: 绚
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AI Study Notes for 绚
Quick Contrast
绚 (xuàn) vs 鲜 (xiān) — use 绚 for visual splendor and richness, while 鲜 emphasizes freshness and vividness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a stunning sunset (representing 'brilliant') with vibrant colors (representing 'variegated') painting the sky. The character 绚 has '丝' (silk) at the bottom, suggesting softness and beauty, while the top part reminds you of the colorful patterns in a rich tapestry, making it easier to remember the sound 'xuàn' and its meaning.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone, as 绚 (xuàn) is pronounced with a falling tone, which is crucial for clarity. This word is often used in formal contexts, such as literature or art critiques, rather than in casual conversation. Common collocations include 绚丽 (xuànlì, brilliant) and 绚烂 (xuànlàn, resplendent).
HSK Study Tips
Although 绚 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other HSK words related to beauty and color, such as 美 (měi, beautiful) and 彩色 (cǎisè, colorful). Students should focus on the visual aspects and emotional connotations of the word to enhance their vocabulary related to aesthetics.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'brilliance' is often associated with festivals and celebrations, where vibrant decorations play a crucial role. The character 绚 can evoke images of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, where colorful lanterns and decorations symbolize joy and prosperity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 绚 with similar-sounding words like 玄 (xuán, mysterious) due to the tonal difference. A common mistake is using it in casual contexts where simpler words like 美丽 (měilì, beautiful) would suffice.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 绚
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Grammar Patterns of 绚
绚 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 4
Complete the Sentence
尤其是在四五月份，不计其数的野花盛开，山谷里一片____烂色彩。
Millions of wild flowers colour the valleys, especially in April and May.
Millions of wild flowers colour the valleys, especially in April and May.
2
一英亩见方的花园生长出一大片绚烂的杜鹃花.
yī yīng mǔ jiàn fāng de huā yuán shēng cháng chū yī dà piàn xuàn làn de dù juān huā.
The acre of garden is host to a splendid bank of rhododendrons.
3
夏秋之季, 碧草连天, 繁花铺地, 风景如画, 绚丽迷人.
xià qiū zhī jì, , bì cǎo lián, tiān , fán huā, pū dì , fēng, jǐng rú huà ,.
The summer and fall season, suffering Bicao, flowers shops, picturesque, charming brilliant.
4
一周后蝴蝶破茧而出,绚丽夺目.
yī zhōu hòu hú dié pò jiǎn ér chū, , xuàn lì duó.
A butterfly emerged in its full splendour a week later.
5
戴维斯深深喜欢上了那幅色彩绚丽的油画作品。
dài wéi sī shēn shēn xǐ huān shàng le nà fú sè cǎi xuàn lì de yóu huà zuò pǐn。
Davies goes into raptures over the brilliantly coloured paintwork.
Cultural Notes for 绚
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'brilliance' is often associated with festivals and celebrations, where vibrant decorations play a crucial role. The character 绚 can evoke images of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, where colorful lanterns and decorations symbolize joy and prosperity.
Word Family of 绚
Words Containing This Character4
绚丽gorgeous絢麗
绚烂splendid絢爛
绚xuànadorned絢
绚丽多彩gorgeous絢麗多彩
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 绚丽 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 绚
It is pronounced with a falling tone: xuàn.
Yes, while it primarily describes visual beauty, it can also metaphorically express feelings of joy or excitement.
It is more common in literature and formal contexts than in everyday speech.
