Meanings of 缮
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 缮
Podcast: 缮
Podcast: 缮
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 缮
修 (xiū) - use 修 when referring to maintenance or general repairs, while 缮 emphasizes careful mending or transcription.
缮 is often used in formal contexts, particularly in literary or official language, and can appear in phrases about document preparation. Be cautious with the tone; ensure to pronounce it with the fourth tone (shàn) to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
While 缮 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other verbs related to actions and processes, such as 修 (xiū - to repair) and 写 (xiě - to write). Focus on understanding its usage in combination with other characters in phrases related to repair or writing.
Learners often confuse 缮 with similar verbs like 修 (xiū), which is more commonly used for 'repair.' For example, saying '我需要修这本书' (Wǒ xūyào xiū zhè běn shū - I need to repair this book) is correct, while using 缮 here would sound overly formal and uncommon.
Pronunciation of 缮
Drill the tone of 缮 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 缮
Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 善 represents the sound. Simplified form of 繕.
thread
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 缮
Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 善 represents the sound. Simplified form of 繕.
- 1The meaning half纟 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half善 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaythread
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 缮? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 缮?
Decomposition of 缮
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 缮?
How to say to repair, to mend; to transcribe, to rewrite in Chinese
“to repair, to mend; to transcribe, to rewrite” in Chinese is缮
The character 缮 (shàn) primarily means 'to repair' or 'to mend,' often used in contexts involving fixing physical objects or materials. It can also mean 'to transcribe' or 'to rewrite,' typically in reference to writing or copying texts accurately. The character conveys a sense of restoration and careful attention to detail.
When to use 缮
缮 is often used in formal contexts, particularly in literary or official language, and can appear in phrases about document preparation. Be cautious with the tone; ensure to pronounce it with the fourth tone (shàn) to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
缮 or something close to it
修 (xiū) - use 修 when referring to maintenance or general repairs, while 缮 emphasizes careful mending or transcription.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 缮 with similar verbs like 修 (xiū), which is more commonly used for 'repair.' For example, saying '我需要修这本书' (Wǒ xūyào xiū zhè běn shū - I need to repair this book) is correct, while using 缮 here would sound overly formal and uncommon.
Write 缮
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 缮 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 缮
缮 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他们不仅修____了老寺庙,还修建了许多新寺庙.
They built new temples and repaired and improved old ones.
Example Sentences for 缮 (2)
Word Family of 缮
Compound Meaning
What does 修缮 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 缮
Common phrases include 缮写 (shànxiě - to transcribe) and 缮工 (shàn gōng - a repair worker).
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 缮?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.