Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
缫(繅)sāo(sao1)
The character 缫 (sāo) primarily refers to the process of reeling silk from cocoons, a crucial step in silk production. It can also mean to draw or reel in materials, embodying a sense of pulling something towards oneself. This term is commonly used in the context of traditional silk weaving and textile production.
Strokes14Radical纟Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Silk production is a significant part of Chinese culture, with roots tracing back thousands of years. The practice of 缫 is vital in the traditional silk industry, reflecting China's historical prominence in silk trade along the Silk Road.
Memory Tip
Imagine a graceful silk worker gracefully reeling in threads from a cocoon. The character 缫 resembles a silk thread being drawn out, with the left side (糸) representing silk and the right side hinting at the action of drawing in. This imagery helps connect the character with its meaning and the pronunciation 'sāo'.
Meanings of 缫
sāo(sao1)
1to draw, to reel in
2to reel silk from cocoons
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 缫
缫Simplified
繅Traditional
14Strokes
纟Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 缫
Podcast: 缫
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 缫
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a graceful silk worker gracefully reeling in threads from a cocoon. The character 缫 resembles a silk thread being drawn out, with the left side (糸) representing silk and the right side hinting at the action of drawing in. This imagery helps connect the character with its meaning and the pronunciation 'sāo'.
Usage Notes
When using 缫, it's important to maintain the correct tone, as it is pronounced with the first tone (sāo). Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding words, such as 燒 (shāo), which means to burn. This word is more commonly found in formal contexts related to silk production.
HSK Study Tips
While 缫 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it shares a thematic connection with other words related to textiles and materials. Students should focus on the radicals and related vocabulary in the context of traditional crafts to deepen their understanding.
Cultural Note
Silk production is a significant part of Chinese culture, with roots tracing back thousands of years. The practice of 缫 is vital in the traditional silk industry, reflecting China's historical prominence in silk trade along the Silk Road.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 缫 with similar-sounding words, resulting in sentences like '我想缫这个' (I want to draw this) instead of the correct context-specific usage, which should be related to silk production. Remember, it should specifically refer to the action of reeling silk.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 缫
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 缫 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 缫 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 缫
🏮Cultural insight
Silk production is a significant part of Chinese culture, with roots tracing back thousands of years. The practice of 缫 is vital in the traditional silk industry, reflecting China's historical prominence in silk trade along the Silk Road.
Word Family of 缫
Words Containing This Character1
缫sāoto reel silk from cocoons繅
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 缫 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 缫
It refers to the process of reeling silk threads from cocoons.
Not frequently; it is more specialized and used in contexts related to silk and textiles.
It is pronounced with a high, level tone, like 'sāo'.