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銜 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
銜xiánrank, title; to bite, to hold in the mouthx, 14 strokes, radical 金
xián(xian2)xian T2
  1. 1rank, title; to bite, to hold in the mouth
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March 24, 2026

銜xián(xian2)

The character 銜 (xián) primarily means 'to hold in the mouth' or 'to bite,' often used in contexts such as animals carrying something. It can also refer to ranks or titles, especially in formal or official contexts, indicating a status held by a person. This duality in meaning reflects both a physical action and a metaphorical position of honor or responsibility.

Strokes14Radical金
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese culture, titles and ranks are highly significant, often indicating one's social status or achievements. The concept of holding a title is deeply rooted in the Confucian value of hierarchy and respect for authority.

Memory tip

Imagine a dog (holding something in its mouth) that represents the character 銜. The left part '金' (gold) suggests something valuable, as if the dog is carrying a precious item, while the right part '咸' (xián) sounds like 'xián,' helping you recall the pronunciation. Picture this dog proudly holding a golden medal in its mouth, signifying a high rank.

Meanings of 銜

xián(xian2)
1rank, title; to bite, to hold in the mouth
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 銜

銜Simplified
14Strokes
金Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 銜

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Podcast: 銜

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AI study notes for 銜

Quick Contrast

銜 (xián) vs 持 (chí) — use 銜 when referring to holding something in the mouth or carrying, while 持 is more about holding or possessing in a general sense.

Usage Notes

In formal contexts, 銜 is often used in official titles or ranks, so be cautious when using it informally. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; ensure that the context aligns with its meanings. It is typically used in written Chinese rather than in casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 銜 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other HSK words related to titles or positions. Students should focus on the character's radicals and meanings, as understanding these can enhance vocabulary retention. Consider practicing with related words like 职位 (zhíwèi - position) to reinforce learning.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 銜 with similar characters like 咸 (xián - salty), leading to incorrect usage in context. For example, saying 銜的味道 (xián de wèidào - the taste of holding) instead of the correct 咸的味道 (xián de wèidào - the salty taste) reflects this error.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 銜

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Etymology of 銜

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

metal

Semantic (meaning)金
+
Phonetic (sound)行
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

銜 = 金 + 行. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 銜

IDS Structure⿻行金
銜Full character
=
行hang2
outer
金Jin1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 銜?

How to say rank, title; to bite, to hold in the mouth in Chinese

“rank, title; to bite, to hold in the mouth” in Chinese is銜xián

The character 銜 (xián) primarily means 'to hold in the mouth' or 'to bite,' often used in contexts such as animals carrying something. It can also refer to ranks or titles, especially in formal or official contexts, indicating a status held by a person. This duality in meaning reflects both a physical action and a metaphorical position of honor or responsibility.

When to use 銜

In formal contexts, 銜 is often used in official titles or ranks, so be cautious when using it informally. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; ensure that the context aligns with its meanings. It is typically used in written Chinese rather than in casual conversation.

銜 or something close to it

銜 (xián) vs 持 (chí) — use 銜 when referring to holding something in the mouth or carrying, while 持 is more about holding or possessing in a general sense.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 銜 with similar characters like 咸 (xián - salty), leading to incorrect usage in context. For example, saying 銜的味道 (xián de wèidào - the taste of holding) instead of the correct 咸的味道 (xián de wèidào - the salty taste) reflects this error.

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銜

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Word Family of 銜

Words containing this character13
头衔tóuxiántitle頭銜
衔接xiánjiēto combine銜接
衔xiánto link銜
军衔army rank軍銜
领衔leading (role)領銜
官衔title官銜
领衔主演starring領銜主演
警衔police rank警銜
授衔rank of professor授銜
职衔title (position within an organization)職銜
名衔rank名銜
学衔rank學銜
结草衔环to repay sb's kind acts (idiom)結草銜環
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 銜

What does 头衔 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 銜

Common phrases include 銜接 (xiánjiē - to connect or link) and 銜名 (xiánmíng - to hold a title).

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