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March 24, 2026
肩jiān(jian1)
The character 肩 (jiān) primarily means 'shoulder' and can refer to the physical part of the body as well as metaphorically to taking on responsibilities. In various contexts, it is used to talk about sharing burdens or responsibilities, such as in expressions about teamwork or cooperation.
Strokes8Radical⺼Frequency#5671DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of shouldering responsibilities is significant, often reflected in familial or societal expectations. For example, the phrase '肩负责任' (jiān fù zérèn) emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one's family or community.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong shoulder holding a heavy weight, representing the burdens we carry. The character 肩 has a radical that resembles a person (亻) on the left, suggesting the human aspect of shouldering duties, while the right part (肩) visually reminds you of a shoulder bearing weight.
Meanings of 肩
jiān(jian1)
1shoulder
2to shoulder (responsibilities etc)
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 肩
肩Simplified
8Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5671Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 肩
Podcast: 肩
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AI Study Notes for 肩
Quick Contrast
肩膀 (jiānbǎng) vs 肩 (jiān): Use 肩 when referring to the shoulder in a more general sense, while 肩膀 emphasizes the physical structure.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a strong shoulder holding a heavy weight, representing the burdens we carry. The character 肩 has a radical that resembles a person (亻) on the left, suggesting the human aspect of shouldering duties, while the right part (肩) visually reminds you of a shoulder bearing weight.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with pronunciation, as mispronouncing the tone could change the meaning. In written form, 肩 is often used in contexts discussing health, fitness, and responsibilities, like in phrases such as 'shoulder the burden' (肩负). It’s typically used in both formal and informal settings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 肩 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects to themes of body parts (like 手 shǒu for 'hand') and common verbs related to responsibility. Students should focus on being able to use 肩 in phrases about work and cooperation.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of shouldering responsibilities is significant, often reflected in familial or societal expectations. For example, the phrase '肩负责任' (jiān fù zérèn) emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one's family or community.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 肩 with other similar-sounding characters like 见 (jiàn), which means 'to see.' Ensure you're using 肩 when referring to shoulders or responsibilities, not 见.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 肩
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Grammar Patterns of 肩
肩 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 3 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 5
Complete the Sentence
我问道：“要不我等会儿吧？”梅拉妮耸耸____说：“随你便。”
"Do you mind if I wait?" I asked. Melanie shrugged: "Please yourself."
Common Confusions with 肩
肩vs艰
jiān
Same pronunciation as 肩 but different meaning.
肩vs间
jiān
Similar pronunciation but different characters and meanings.
I have a particular responsibility to ensure I make the right decision.
3
弗内斯疲倦地耸了耸肩。这事他早就全知道了。
fú nèi sī pí juàn dì sǒng le sǒng jiān。 。 zhè shì tā zǎo jiù quán zhī dào。
Furness shrugs wearily. He has heard it all before.
4
他被一颗跳弹打伤了肩膀。
tā bèi yī kē tiào dàn dǎ shāng le jiān bǎng。
He was wounded in the shoulder by a ricochet.
5
图尔金拍拍他的肩膀。“不好意思打断您一下，上校。”
tú ěr jīn pāi pāi tā de jiān bǎng。“ 。“ bù hǎo yì sī dǎ duàn nín yī， xià ，。”
Turkin tapped him on the shoulder. "Sorry to interrupt, Colonel."
6
他试图爬走时肩膀中枪了。
tā shì tú pá zǒu shí jiān bǎng zhōng qiāng le。
As he tried to crawl away, he was hit in the shoulder.
7
雪花如刀割般刮在他的脸上，他绷紧了双肩。
xuě huā rú dāo gē bān guā zài tā de liǎn shàng， ， tā bēng jǐn le shuāng。
He braced his shoulders as the snow slashed across his face.
8
他主诉肩胛骨之间有个地方总是疼。
tā zhǔ sù jiān jiǎ gǔ zhī jiān yǒu gè dì fāng zǒng shì téng。
He complained of a nagging pain between his shoulder blades.
9
他是个白人，留着棕色的齐肩发并蓄着小胡子。
tā shì gè bái rén， ， liú zháo zōng sè de qí jiān fā bìng xù zháo xiǎo hú。
He was white, with brown shoulder-length hair and a moustache.
10
他是个40岁左右的高大男子，肩宽体壮。
tā shì gè40 40 suì zuǒ yòu de gāo dà nán， zǐ ， jiān kuān。
He was a big man of about forty, wide-shouldered and heavily built.
Cultural Notes for 肩
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of shouldering responsibilities is significant, often reflected in familial or societal expectations. For example, the phrase '肩负责任' (jiān fù zérèn) emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one's family or community.
Word Family of 肩
Compounds4
掮qian2to bear on the shoulders
猏
顅
鵳
Words Containing This Character19
肩膀jiānbǎngshoulder
肩jiānshoulder
并肩alongside並肩
肩负jiānfùto bear肩負
擦肩而过brief encounter擦肩而過
披肩cape
肩头on one's shoulders肩頭
耸肩to shrug one's shoulders聳肩
肩胛骨scapula
肩章epaulet
肩带shoulder strap肩帶
比肩to be shoulder to shoulder
垫肩shoulder pad墊肩
肩并肩abreast肩並肩
坎肩Chinese waistcoat
肩周炎adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
摩肩接踵a thronging crowd
搭肩to stand on sb's shoulder
携手并肩hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder攜手並肩
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 掮 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 肩
You can say '他肩负着家庭的责任' (Tā jiān fù zhe jiātíng de zérèn), meaning 'He shoulders the responsibilities of the family.'
Yes, one common idiom is '肩并肩' (jiān bìng jiān), meaning 'shoulder to shoulder,' which describes working together.
The tone for 肩 is the first tone (high and level). It's crucial to pronounce it correctly since mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other characters.
