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March 24, 2026
翦jiǎn(Jian3)
The character 翦 (jiǎn) primarily means 'scissors' or 'to cut, clip, or trim.' It is often used in contexts involving cutting materials, such as paper or fabric, and can also imply a more metaphorical sense of annihilation or destruction. The character can also serve as a surname, Jian, in Chinese culture.
Strokes15Radical羽Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of cutting or trimming is often metaphorically linked to the idea of balance and harmony, reflecting how one must 'cut away' excess to achieve wellness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pair of scissors (the shape of 翦 resembles two blades) snipping through a paper. The two blades cutting represent the pronunciation 'jiǎn,' linking the sound to the action of cutting. Visualize the scissors trimming a garden, symbolizing control and precision.
Meanings of 翦
jiǎn(Jian3)
1scissors; to cut, to clip; to annihilate
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 翦
翦Simplified
15Strokes
羽Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 翦
Podcast: 翦
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AI Study Notes for 翦
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pair of scissors (the shape of 翦 resembles two blades) snipping through a paper. The two blades cutting represent the pronunciation 'jiǎn,' linking the sound to the action of cutting. Visualize the scissors trimming a garden, symbolizing control and precision.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 翦 with 剪 (jiǎn), which also means 'to cut' but is more commonly used for scissors in daily conversation. It's important to use 翦 in more formal or literary contexts. Be careful with tones, as mispronouncing 'jiǎn' with a different tone can change the word's meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Though 翦 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of words related to cutting and destruction. Students at this level should focus on recognizing its use in literary texts and differentiating it from similar characters.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of cutting or trimming is often metaphorically linked to the idea of balance and harmony, reflecting how one must 'cut away' excess to achieve wellness.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 翦 with 剪 and use them interchangeably, as in '我用翦剪纸' (I use scissors to cut paper), which should be '我用剪剪纸.' Additionally, forgetting the correct tone can lead to misunderstandings.
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Pronunciation of 翦
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Cultural Notes for 翦
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of cutting or trimming is often metaphorically linked to the idea of balance and harmony, reflecting how one must 'cut away' excess to achieve wellness.
Word Family of 翦
Words Containing This Character1
翦jiǎnsurname Jian
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 翦 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 翦
No, 翦 is typically used in more formal or literary contexts compared to 剪.
Yes, it can refer to various forms of cutting, but it often carries a more formal or nuanced meaning.
While both mean 'to cut,' 翦 is more formal and less commonly used in daily language than 剪.
