Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
绢(絹)juàn(juan4)
绢 (juàn) refers to a type of silk fabric that is thicker and stiffer than regular silk, often used for traditional clothing and art. It is valued for its durability and smooth texture, making it popular in the production of fine garments and decorative items. In usage, it is typically associated with high-quality textiles.
Strokes10Radical纟Frequency#17158DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
绢 has a rich history in Chinese art, often used in traditional painting and calligraphy. Its use in cultural artifacts signifies the importance of textiles in Chinese heritage and craftsmanship.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant, stiff silk worm (绢) wearing a thick, fancy silk suit that stands tall and proud. The character 绢 has a 'silk' radical (糸) at the bottom, reminding you of its fabric meaning. Think of 'juàn' as the sound of the silk worm saying 'I'm the best silk you can find!'
Meanings of 绢
juàn(juan4)
1a kind of thick stiff silk
2thin, tough silk fabric
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 绢
绢Simplified
絹Traditional
10Strokes
纟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 绢
Podcast: 绢
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 绢
Quick Contrast
绸 (chóu) refers to a type of silk fabric that is softer and lighter than 绢, making it more suitable for flowing garments.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant, stiff silk worm (绢) wearing a thick, fancy silk suit that stands tall and proud. The character 绢 has a 'silk' radical (糸) at the bottom, reminding you of its fabric meaning. Think of 'juàn' as the sound of the silk worm saying 'I'm the best silk you can find!'
Usage Notes
A common mistake is confusing 绢 (juàn) with other silk-related terms like 丝 (sī, meaning thin silk). Remember that 绢 specifically denotes a thicker, sturdier silk. This term is more formal and is often used in contexts related to textiles or traditional crafts.
HSK Study Tips
绢 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, but it connects to other fabric-related words like 丝 (sī) and 纺 (fǎng). Students should focus on understanding the textile vocabulary, which often appears in cultural and historical discussions.
Cultural Note
绢 has a rich history in Chinese art, often used in traditional painting and calligraphy. Its use in cultural artifacts signifies the importance of textiles in Chinese heritage and craftsmanship.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 绢 with similar-sounding words or its usage in modern contexts. For example, saying '我喜欢穿绢的衣服' (I like to wear 绢 clothes) can be misleading if the speaker means to refer to regular silk. The correct usage would depend on the context of fabric thickness.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 绢
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 绢 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 绢 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 绢
绢 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
她把手____揉成一团，丢在了他的脚边。
She balled the handkerchief up and threw it at his feet.
Example Sentences for 绢 (8)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她把手绢揉成一团，丢在了他的脚边。
tā bǎ shǒu juàn róu chéng yī tuán， ， diū zài le tā de jiǎo。
She balled the handkerchief up and threw it at his feet.
2
“你刚才找的是不是这个？”布拉德利掏出那块手绢。
“ “ nǐ gāng cái zhǎo de shì bù shì zhè？” gè ？” bù lā dé lì tāo chū nà kuài。
"Is this what you were looking for?" Bradley produced the handkerchief.
3
他从口袋里掏出手绢递给他。
tā cóng kǒu dài lǐ tāo chū shǒu juàn dì gěi tā。
He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to him.
I don't bother to iron handkerchiefs it's not worth it.
Cultural Notes for 绢
🏮Cultural insight
绢 has a rich history in Chinese art, often used in traditional painting and calligraphy. Its use in cultural artifacts signifies the importance of textiles in Chinese heritage and craftsmanship.
Word Family of 绢
Words Containing This Character2
绢juànthin, tough silk fabric絹
手绢handkerchief手絹
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 绢 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 绢
绢 refers to a thicker, stiffer type of silk, while 丝 denotes a thinner, softer silk.
Yes,绢 is still used, particularly in traditional garments and special occasions, but it is less common in everyday fashion.
