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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#20849DifficultyVery Hard
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
Podcast: 锦
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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.
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.
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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1The giveawaySilk 帛 inlaid with gold 钅; 钅 also provides the pronunciation
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 锦? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
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?
How to say brocade in Chinese
“brocade” in Chinese is锦jǐn
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.
When to use 锦
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.
锦 or something close to it
锦 (jǐn) vs 绸 (chóu) — use 锦 for luxurious, intricately woven fabrics, while 绸 refers to smooth silk-like fabrics often used for clothing.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 锦
锦
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Practice writing 锦 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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 (16)
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.
