unknown, 13 strokes, radical 页, rank #57901, Very Hard
hàn(han4) T4
1chin, jowl; to nod
2to nod (one's assent)
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March 24, 2026
颔(頷)hàn(han4)
The character 颔 (hàn) primarily refers to the chin or jowl area of the face. It is also used in the context of nodding, particularly as a gesture of agreement or assent. This character often appears in literary or formal contexts, emphasizing a dignified or respectful nod.
Strokes13Radical页Frequency#57901DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, nodding (颔首) is often seen as a sign of respect and attentiveness, especially in formal settings such as tea ceremonies or when receiving elders.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'hand' (sounds like 'hàn') gently cradling a 'chin' while nodding in agreement. The radical 口 (kǒu) suggests a mouth, connecting to the idea of expressing agreement verbally or non-verbally.
Meanings of 颔
hàn(han4)
1chin, jowl; to nod
2to nod (one's assent)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 颔
颔Simplified
頷Traditional
13Strokes
页Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 颔
Podcast: 颔
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AI Study Notes for 颔
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'hand' (sounds like 'hàn') gently cradling a 'chin' while nodding in agreement. The radical 口 (kǒu) suggests a mouth, connecting to the idea of expressing agreement verbally or non-verbally.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 颔 with similar characters that refer to the mouth or face, such as 嘴 (zuǐ) for 'mouth.' The usage is more formal than conversational. Common collocations include 颔首 (hàn shǒu), meaning to nod one's head.
HSK Study Tips
Although 颔 is not included in HSK levels, it is beneficial for learners to recognize its connections with body parts and gestures of agreement found in everyday vocabulary. Focus on how this character relates to expressions of agreement in Chinese culture.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, nodding (颔首) is often seen as a sign of respect and attentiveness, especially in formal settings such as tea ceremonies or when receiving elders.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly pronounce 颔 as 'hàn' when they should say 'hàn' with the correct falling tone. Another common error is confusing it with 颈 (jǐng), which means 'neck'. Remember, 颔 specifically refers to the chin.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 颔
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Grammar Patterns of 颔
颔 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 1
Complete the Sentence
他们追逐的主要对象是野马, 当时一种有____毛的小型矮种马.
Their chief pursuit was the wild horse, the little bearded pony of that time.
Example Sentences for 颔 (1)
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1
他们追逐的主要对象是野马, 当时一种有颔毛的小型矮种马.
tā mén zhuī zhú de zhǔ yào duì xiàng shì yě mǎ, , dāng shí yī zhǒng yǒu hàn máo de xiǎo xíng ǎi zhǒng.
Their chief pursuit was the wild horse, the little bearded pony of that time.
Cultural Notes for 颔
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, nodding (颔首) is often seen as a sign of respect and attentiveness, especially in formal settings such as tea ceremonies or when receiving elders.
Word Family of 颔
Words Containing This Character2
颔hànchin頷
颔首to nod one's head頷首
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 颔 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 颔
It is not commonly used in casual speech, but you might encounter it in literary texts or formal discussions.
A common phrase is 颔首 (hàn shǒu), which means to nod one's head.
Yes, synonyms include 下巴 (xiàba), which more commonly means 'chin' in conversational Chinese.