unknown, 14 strokes, radical 虫, rank #24011, Very Hard
蜷
quán
to huddle
unknown, 14 strokes, radical 虫, rank #24011, Very Hard
蜷
quán
Melania libertina
unknown, 14 strokes, radical 虫, rank #24011, Very Hard
蜷
quán
wriggle (as a worm)
unknown, 14 strokes, radical 虫, rank #24011, Very Hard
quán(quan2)quan T2
1to curl one's body; to wriggle like a worm
2to curl up (like a scroll)
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March 24, 2026
蜷quán(quan2)
The character 蜷 (quán) refers to the action of curling or wriggling, often used to describe how a body might curl up for comfort or when trying to fit into a smaller space. It can evoke imagery of animals coiling up, such as a worm or a curled-up scroll, and is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts.
Strokes14Radical虫Frequency#24011DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Curling up or huddling together is often associated with comfort and safety in Chinese culture, especially during cold weather, where people might physically huddle together for warmth. This concept is reflected in traditional practices of gathering together during festivals.
Memory Tip
Think of a worm (虫) curling up (蜷) to protect itself. The character has the insect radical (虫) indicating its connection to wriggling creatures, and you can imagine a worm making a cozy curl to hide from danger, making it easier to remember both the form and pronunciation.
Meanings of 蜷
quán(quan2)
1to curl one's body; to wriggle like a worm
2to curl up (like a scroll)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 蜷
蜷Simplified
14Strokes
虫Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蜷
Podcast: 蜷
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AI Study Notes for 蜷
Quick Contrast
蜷 (quán) vs 卷 (juǎn) — use 蜷 for curling up tightly, often for comfort, while 卷 refers to rolling or coiling without the same connotation of snugness.
Usage Notes
蜷 is more commonly used in descriptive contexts and can sometimes be seen in literary writing. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with other similar-sounding words; it is important to remember the tone (2nd tone) to avoid miscommunication. Common collocations include 蜷缩 (curl up) and 蜷伏 (to huddle).
HSK Study Tips
Although 蜷 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with words related to movement and position, such as 卧 (to lie down) and 躲 (to hide). Students should focus on the imagery it evokes to help remember its meaning, especially in descriptive writing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 蜷 in contexts that suggest rigidity rather than flexibility, such as saying 蜷硬 (curl hard) instead of understanding it implies a soft, flexible curl. Correct usage would be 蜷缩 (to curl up) which conveys the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蜷
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Knowing 蜷 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
How to say to curl one's body; to wriggle like a worm in Chinese
“to curl one's body; to wriggle like a worm” in Chinese is蜷quán
The character 蜷 (quán) refers to the action of curling or wriggling, often used to describe how a body might curl up for comfort or when trying to fit into a smaller space. It can evoke imagery of animals coiling up, such as a worm or a curled-up scroll, and is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts.
When to use 蜷
蜷 is more commonly used in descriptive contexts and can sometimes be seen in literary writing. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with other similar-sounding words; it is important to remember the tone (2nd tone) to avoid miscommunication. Common collocations include 蜷缩 (curl up) and 蜷伏 (to huddle).
蜷 or something close to it
蜷 (quán) vs 卷 (juǎn) — use 蜷 for curling up tightly, often for comfort, while 卷 refers to rolling or coiling without the same connotation of snugness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 蜷 in contexts that suggest rigidity rather than flexibility, such as saying 蜷硬 (curl hard) instead of understanding it implies a soft, flexible curl. Correct usage would be 蜷缩 (to curl up) which conveys the intended meaning.
Write 蜷
蜷
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Practice writing 蜷 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 蜷
蜷 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我努力保持____曲的姿势以免四肢受伤。
I tried to adopt a curled-up position to avoid damaging my limbs.
Example Sentences for 蜷 (10)
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1
我努力保持蜷曲的姿势以免四肢受伤。
wǒ nǔ lì bǎo chí quán qū de zī shì yǐ miǎn sì zhī shòu shāng。
I tried to adopt a curled-up position to avoid damaging my limbs.
2
他还像一头困兽一样蜷缩着坐在那儿。
tā huán xiàng yī tóu kùn shòu yī yàng quán suō zháo zuò zài nà ér。
He was still sitting huddled like a cornered animal.
3
那只小猫在沙发垫子上蜷缩成了一团。
nà zhī xiǎo māo zài shā fā diàn zǐ shàng quán suō chéng le yī tuán。
