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锦 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
锦jǐnbrocadens, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #20849, Hard
锦jǐnembroidered workns, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #20849, Hard
锦jǐnbrightns, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #20849, Hard
锦jǐnbrocade, tapestry; embroideredns, 13 strokes, radical 钅, rank #20849, Hard
jǐn(jin3) T3
  1. 1brocade
  2. 2embroidered work
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
锦(錦)jǐn(jin3)

The character 锦 (jǐn) primarily refers to a type of luxurious fabric, often intricately woven or embroidered, typically used for decorative purposes in clothing or art. It connotes brightness and richness, symbolizing beauty and splendor, and is often associated with traditional Chinese textiles and cultural heritage.

Strokes13Radical钅Frequency#20849DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

锦 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, often symbolizing wealth and prosperity. In traditional Chinese weddings, for instance, brides may wear garments made of 锦, reflecting the importance of textile artistry in cultural celebrations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bright, shimmering brocade fabric (锦) that wraps around a beautiful golden dragon. The character's top part resembles a 'gold' radical (金), indicating its precious nature, while the bottom suggests intricate patterns, reminding you of embroidery.

Meanings of 锦

jǐn(jin3)
1brocade
2embroidered work
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 锦

锦Simplified
錦Traditional
13Strokes
钅Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#20849Frequency Rank

Podcast: 锦

JasonAmy

Podcast: 锦

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 锦

Quick Contrast

锦 (jǐn) vs 绸 (chóu) — use 锦 for luxurious, intricately woven fabrics, while 绸 refers to smooth silk-like fabrics often used for clothing.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a bright, shimmering brocade fabric (锦) that wraps around a beautiful golden dragon. The character's top part resembles a 'gold' radical (金), indicating its precious nature, while the bottom suggests intricate patterns, reminding you of embroidery.

Usage Notes

锦 is often used in more formal contexts, especially when discussing textiles or art. Common collocations include 锦绣 (jǐnxiù, meaning 'embroidered work') and 锦衣 (jǐnyī, meaning 'brocade clothing'). Be careful with pronunciation; the third tone may sometimes be mistaken for the second tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although 锦 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects well with HSK vocabulary related to clothing and textiles. Students should pay attention to the character's structure and its association with beauty and luxury, enhancing their descriptive language skills.

Cultural Note

锦 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, often symbolizing wealth and prosperity. In traditional Chinese weddings, for instance, brides may wear garments made of 锦, reflecting the importance of textile artistry in cultural celebrations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 锦 with other similar-sounding characters. For example, 锦 (jǐn) is sometimes mistakenly used instead of 近 (jìn, meaning 'near'). Always remember that 锦 refers specifically to brocade or embroidered fabric.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 锦

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Etymology of 锦

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

Silk 帛 inlaid with gold 钅; 钅 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 锦?

Decomposition of 锦

IDS Structure⿰钅帛
锦Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
帛bo2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 锦?

Write 锦

锦

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 锦

锦 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 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 4

Complete the Sentence

我们的生活虽然并非____衣玉食，也算是衣食无忧。

We don't live in the lap of luxury, but we're comfortable.

Example Sentences for 锦 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我们的生活虽然并非锦衣玉食，也算是衣食无忧。

wǒ mén de shēng huó suī rán bìng fēi jǐn yī yù shí， ， yě suàn shì yī shí wú。

We don't live in the lap of luxury, but we're comfortable.
2
这很可能是高尔夫锦标赛比赛史上天气最为寒冷的一次.

zhè hěn kě néng shì gāo ěr fū jǐn biāo sài bǐ sài shǐ shàng tiān qì zuì wéi hán lěng de yī cì.

This could have been one of the coldest golf tournaments on record.
3
塞莱斯拿到了10个锦标赛冠军，是当之无愧的世界冠军。

sāi lái sī ná dào le10 10 gè jǐn biāo sài guān， jūn ， shì dāng zhī wú kuì de shì jiè。

Seles won 10 tournaments, and was the undisputed world champion.
4
在世界车手锦标赛上，领先选手比瑞典人快一步冲线。

zài shì jiè chē shǒu jǐn biāo sài shàng， ， lǐng xiān xuǎn shǒu bǐ ruì diǎn rén kuài yī bù chōng。

The world drivers' championship leader crossed the line ahead of the Swede.
5
她在安特卫普的世界越野锦标赛上获得了第3名。

tā zài ān tè wèi pǔ de shì jiè yuè yě jǐn biāo sài shàng huò dé le dì3 3。

She finished third in the world cross-country championships in Antwerp.
6
两个人都事业有成，前程似锦。

liǎng gè rén dū shì yè yǒu chéng， ， qián chéng sì。

Both had successful careers and the future looked bright.
7
经纪人将提出下年度世锦赛奖金的问题。

jīng jì rén jiāng tí chū xià nián dù shì jǐn sài jiǎng jīn de wèn tí。

Agents will raise the issue of prize-money for next year's world championships.
8
他连续4年获得锦标赛亚军。

tā lián xù4 4 nián huò dé jǐn biāo sài yà。

He finished second in the championship four years in a row.
9
这趟行程不同于他1990年的首次衣锦还乡。

zhè tàng háng chéng bù tóng yú tā1990 1990 nián de shǒu cì yī jǐn huán。

This trip was not like his first triumphant return home in
10
第三粒进球是锦上添花。

dì sān lì jìn qiú shì jǐn shàng tiān huā。

The third goal was the icing on the cake.

Cultural Notes for 锦

🏮Cultural insight

锦 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, often symbolizing wealth and prosperity. In traditional Chinese weddings, for instance, brides may wear garments made of 锦, reflecting the importance of textile artistry in cultural celebrations.

Word Family of 锦

Words Containing This Character18
锦标赛championships錦標賽
胡锦涛Hu Jintao (1942-), General Secretary of the CPC 2002-2012, president of the PRC 2003-2013胡錦濤
锦jǐnbrocade錦
世锦赛world championship世錦賽
什锦mixed什錦
锦上添花jǐnshàngtiānhuāgilding the lily錦上添花
集锦best of the best集錦
锦绣beautiful錦繡
锦州Jinzhou prefecture-level city in Liaoning province 遼寧省|辽宁省 in northeast China錦州
锦标prize錦標
锦江Jinjiang district of Chengdu city 成都市[Chéng​dū​shì], Sichuan錦江
衣锦还乡to come back to one's hometown in silken robes (idiom); to return in glory衣錦還鄉
锦绣前程bright future錦繡前程
织锦brocade織錦
锦缎brocade錦緞
盘锦Panjin prefecture level city in Liaoning province 遼寧省|辽宁省 in northeast China盤錦
花团锦簇splendid花團錦簇
锦江区Jinjiang district of Chengdu city 成都市[Chéng​dū​shì], Sichuan錦江區
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 锦标赛 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 锦

The correct pronunciation is jǐn, with a third tone.