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March 24, 2026
跹(躚)xiān(xian1)
The character 跹 (xiān) refers to the act of walking about, revolving, or dancing. It often conveys a sense of lightness and grace in movement, particularly in contexts related to dance or playful walking. This character can be used to describe both physical actions and metaphorical ideas of wandering or exploring.
Strokes13Radical足Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, dance plays a significant role in festivals and celebrations, often symbolizing joy and auspiciousness. The character 跹 embodies this cultural appreciation for dance and movement.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dancer gracefully twirling (the 's' sound in 'xiān' resembles 'spin') as they walk about, their feet barely touching the ground. The radical '足' (foot) at the bottom of the character emphasizes movement, while the top part suggests a gentle, flowing motion.
Meanings of 跹
xiān(xian1)
1to walk about; to revolve; to dance
2to manner of dancing
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 跹
跹Simplified
躚Traditional
13Strokes
足Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 跹
Podcast: 跹
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AI Study Notes for 跹
Quick Contrast
舞 (wǔ, dance) - use 跹 when emphasizing lightness and grace in movement, while 舞 focuses more on the formal aspect of dance.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dancer gracefully twirling (the 's' sound in 'xiān' resembles 'spin') as they walk about, their feet barely touching the ground. The radical '足' (foot) at the bottom of the character emphasizes movement, while the top part suggests a gentle, flowing motion.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 跹, as it is pronounced with a first tone (xiān). This character is not commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more suitable for literary or poetic contexts. It can often be paired with words related to dance or movement.
HSK Study Tips
Although 跹 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be a valuable addition for learners interested in dance or poetry. Focus on its relationship with other movement-related characters like 路 (lù, road) and 走 (zǒu, to walk) to enhance understanding.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, dance plays a significant role in festivals and celebrations, often symbolizing joy and auspiciousness. The character 跹 embodies this cultural appreciation for dance and movement.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 跹 with similar characters like 路 (lù, road) due to the shared radical. For example, saying '我去路' (Wǒ qù lù) instead of '我去走' (Wǒ qù zǒu) when intending to say 'I am going to walk' can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 跹
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Cultural Notes for 跹
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, dance plays a significant role in festivals and celebrations, often symbolizing joy and auspiciousness. The character 跹 embodies this cultural appreciation for dance and movement.
Word Family of 跹
Words Containing This Character2
跹xiānto walk around躚
翩跹spry and lively (of dancing and movements)翩躚
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 跹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 跹
No, 跹 is more often found in literary contexts or discussions about dance rather than in everyday speech.
You can think of 'xiān' as 'spin' to help recall the graceful, revolving nature of the character.
Yes, it can describe a light, playful walking or wandering, but it is most commonly associated with dance.
