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遣 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
遣qiǎndispatchvg, 13 strokes, radical 辶, rank #18493, Very Hard
遣qiǎnto send, to dispatch; to exile, to send offvg, 13 strokes, radical 辶, rank #18493, Very Hard
遣qiǎnto dispelunknown, 13 strokes, radical 辶, rank #18493, Very Hard
qiǎn(qian3)qian T3
  1. 1dispatch
  2. 2to send, to dispatch; to exile, to send off
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March 24, 2026

遣qiǎn(qian3)

The character 遣 (qiǎn) primarily means to dispatch or send something or someone to a certain place. It can also imply the act of exiling or sending off someone, often used in historical or formal contexts, such as in government or military language.

Strokes13Radical辶Frequency#18493DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of 'dispatching' is significant in Chinese history, notably in contexts involving imperial orders or even the Silk Road, where emissaries were sent to establish diplomatic relations. Understanding this term can provide insight into China's historical governance and social structure.

Memory tip

Imagine a messenger (the character's form has a 'foot' suggesting movement) being dispatched to deliver important news. The 'dispatch' part connects to the sound 'qiǎn,' reminiscent of 'can' as in 'can do it quickly.' Visualize a quick-footed courier dashing off with a message.

Meanings of 遣

qiǎn(qian3)
1dispatch
2to send, to dispatch; to exile, to send off
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 遣

遣Simplified
13Strokes
辶Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#18493Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 遣

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AI study notes for 遣

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 遣 (qiǎn), as it must be pronounced with the third tone to convey the correct meaning. This character is more commonly seen in formal writing or historical texts rather than everyday conversation. It often collocates with words like '人' (rén - person) when referring to sending someone away.

HSK Study Tips

Although 遣 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of historical texts or formal documents. Focus on the contexts in which it appears, and recognize its relationship with other words related to sending or dispatching.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 遣 (qiǎn) with 送 (sòng) when trying to express the concept of sending. For instance, saying '我遣她去商店' (wǒ qiǎn tā qù shāngdiàn) is incorrect; it should be '我送她去商店' (wǒ sòng tā qù shāngdiàn) for everyday usage.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 遣

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Etymology of 遣

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

walk

Semantic (meaning)辶
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 遣?

Decomposition of 遣

IDS Structure⿺辶⿱⿱中一㠯
遣Full character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
中Zhong1
top
一yi1
bottom
㠯yi3
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 遣?

How to say dispatch in Chinese

“dispatch” in Chinese is遣qiǎn

The character 遣 (qiǎn) primarily means to dispatch or send something or someone to a certain place. It can also imply the act of exiling or sending off someone, often used in historical or formal contexts, such as in government or military language.

When to use 遣

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 遣 (qiǎn), as it must be pronounced with the third tone to convey the correct meaning. This character is more commonly seen in formal writing or historical texts rather than everyday conversation. It often collocates with words like '人' (rén - person) when referring to sending someone away.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 遣 (qiǎn) with 送 (sòng) when trying to express the concept of sending. For instance, saying '我遣她去商店' (wǒ qiǎn tā qù shāngdiàn) is incorrect; it should be '我送她去商店' (wǒ sòng tā qù shāngdiàn) for everyday usage.

Write 遣

遣

Practice writing 遣 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 遣

遣 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

摩根派____部队同时袭击了两个据点。

Dividing his command, Morgan assailed both strongholds at the same time.

Example sentences for 遣 (10)

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1
摩根派遣部队同时袭击了两个据点。

mó gēn pàiqiǎn bùduì tóngshí xíjī le liǎng gè jù diǎn。

Dividing his command, Morgan assailed both strongholds at the same time.
2
“娱乐消遣是每个国民都能享受的事,”她坚定地说。

“ yúlè xiāoqiǎn shì měi gè guómín dōu néng xiǎngshòu de shì,” tā jiāndìng dì shuō。

"Enter-taining is something that everyone in the country can enjoy," she averred.
3
他开始把别人差来遣去,而我不喜欢他这样.

tā kāishǐ bǎ biérén chà lái qiǎn qù, ér wǒ bù xǐhuan tā zhèyàng.

He started bossing people around and I didn't like what was happening.
4
双方都同意各自遣散70%的军队。

shuāngfāng dōu tóngyì gèzì qiǎn sǎn70% de jūnduì。

Both sides have agreed to demobilize 70% of their armies.
5
他不喜欢我看些消遣小说。

tā bù xǐhuan wǒ kàn xiē xiāoqiǎn xiǎoshuō。

He doesn't like me reading light novels.
6
亚历克因为行为恶劣被遣回了家,一下子名声扫地。

yà lì kè yīnwèi xíngwéi èliè bèi qiǎn huí le jiā, yīxiàzi míngshēng sǎo dì。

Alec blotted his copybook — got sent home for bad behaviour.
7
由十名士兵组成的分遣队留在后面看守囚犯.

yóu shí míng shìbīng zǔchéng de fēn qiǎn duì liú zài hòumiàn kānshǒu qiúfàn.

A detachment of ten men remained behind to guard the prisoners.
8
在安息日工作或消遣都被视为罪过.

zài Ān xī rì gōngzuò huò xiāoqiǎn dōu bèi shìwéi zuì guò.

It was considered a sin to work or play on the Sabbath.
9
看来,英国已下决心要派遣一支配备有百余坦克和支援装备的主力部队。

kànlái, Yīng guó yǐ xiàjuéxīn yào pàiqiǎn yī zhīpèi bèi yǒu bǎi yú tǎnkè hé zhīyuán zhuāngbèi de zhǔlì bùduì。

Britain looks set to send a major force of over 100 tanks and supporting equipment.
10
工人们不愿被雇主们差来遣去地随便使唤.

gōngrén men bù yuàn bèi gùzhǔ men chà lái qiǎn qù dì suíbiàn shǐhuan.

The workers are reluctant to be ordered around by the employers.

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Word Family of 遣

Compounds6
谴qiǎnpunishment
缱qiǎnattached, inseparable, in love; entangled
儙qiàn
繾qiǎnattached, inseparable, in love; entangled
譴qiǎnto scold, to reprimand, to abuse
鑓qiǎn
Words containing this character13
派遣pàiqiǎnto dispatch
遣qiǎnto send
消遣xiāoqiǎnamusement
遣返qiǎnfǎnto send back
遣送qiǎnsòngto send away
差遣chāiqiǎnto send (on errand)
调遣diàoqiǎnto dispatch調遣
遣散qiǎnsànto disband
先遣队xiānqiǎnduìadvance party先遣隊
排遣páiqiǎnto dispel (negative thoughts etc)
调兵遣将diàobīngqiǎnjiàngto send a team on a task調兵遣將
遣词qiǎncíuse of words遣詞
遣闷qiǎnmènto dispel anguish遣悶
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 遣

What does 谴 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 遣

While both mean 'to send,' 遣 (qiǎn) often implies a formal dispatch or exile, whereas 送 (sòng) is more general and commonly used for everyday sending.

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