Meanings of 艱
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About 艱
Podcast: 艱
Podcast: 艱
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AI Study Notes for 艱
艱 (jiān) vs 难 (nán): use 艱 (jiān) for a more severe or grave sense of difficulty, while 难 (nán) is more general.
This character is often used in formal contexts or literature, so be cautious using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include 艱難 (jiān nán - difficult) and 艱苦 (jiān kǔ - hardship). Ensure you pronounce it with the correct tone, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.
Though not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding 艱 can enhance your comprehension of complex texts, especially those discussing challenges. Focus on connecting it to related words like 困难 (kùn nán - difficulty) to build a richer vocabulary around hardship.
Learners often confuse 艱 with simpler characters like 难 (nán - difficult) and may use it inappropriately in casual settings. For example, saying '这道题艱' (This problem is difficult) is overly formal; instead, say '这道题难'.
Pronunciation of 艱
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Etymology of 艱
tough
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 艱
- 1The meaning half艮 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half堇 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaytough
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 艱? 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
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Decomposition of 艱
Identify the Components
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How to say difficult, hard; hardship in Chinese
“difficult, hard; hardship” in Chinese is艱
The character 艱 (jiān) signifies something that is difficult or hard, often referring to challenges or hardships one may encounter in life. It is typically used in contexts discussing obstacles, struggles, or the burdens of life, conveying a sense of severity and gravity.
When to use 艱
This character is often used in formal contexts or literature, so be cautious using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include 艱難 (jiān nán - difficult) and 艱苦 (jiān kǔ - hardship). Ensure you pronounce it with the correct tone, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.
艱 or something close to it
艱 (jiān) vs 难 (nán): use 艱 (jiān) for a more severe or grave sense of difficulty, while 难 (nán) is more general.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 艱 with simpler characters like 难 (nán - difficult) and may use it inappropriately in casual settings. For example, saying '这道题艱' (This problem is difficult) is overly formal; instead, say '这道题难'.
Write 艱
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Practice writing 艱 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 艱
Compound Meaning
What does 艰难 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 艱
You can use it in a sentence like: 这条路艱难行走 (This road is difficult to walk on).
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