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March 24, 2026
鬒zhěn(zhen3)
The character 鬒 (zhěn) refers to glossy or bushy black hair, often used in poetic or literary contexts to describe hair that is lustrous and well-groomed. It embodies a sense of beauty and elegance typically associated with rich, dark hair, often found in classical Chinese literature.
Strokes20Radical髟Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, hair is often associated with personal beauty and social status, making the description of hair, like 鬒, significant in poetry and art. It reflects the traditional appreciation for elegance and refinement.
Memory Tip
Imagine a beautiful, glossy black mane of a horse (鬒 sounds like 'zen' and 'mane' looks like 'zhěn'). Picture this horse standing proudly, its hair flowing like silk in the wind, representing the essence of luxurious black hair.
Meanings of 鬒
zhěn(zhen3)
1glossy black hair
2bushy black hair
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 鬒
鬒Simplified
20Strokes
髟Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鬒
Podcast: 鬒
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AI Study Notes for 鬒
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a beautiful, glossy black mane of a horse (鬒 sounds like 'zen' and 'mane' looks like 'zhěn'). Picture this horse standing proudly, its hair flowing like silk in the wind, representing the essence of luxurious black hair.
Usage Notes
This character is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more common in literary contexts. It's important to know that it has a positive connotation, often linked to beauty. Be cautious with tone; a mispronunciation could change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Although 鬒 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your appreciation of classical texts. Focus on the character's radicals and how it relates to other hair-related words in Chinese, like 发 (fà) for hair.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, hair is often associated with personal beauty and social status, making the description of hair, like 鬒, significant in poetry and art. It reflects the traditional appreciation for elegance and refinement.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鬒 with similar characters related to hair, such as 发 (fà). For example, saying 鬒 when referring to general hair instead of using 发 can lead to confusion. Ensure to use 鬒 specifically for glossy or bushy black hair.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鬒
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Cultural Notes for 鬒
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, hair is often associated with personal beauty and social status, making the description of hair, like 鬒, significant in poetry and art. It reflects the traditional appreciation for elegance and refinement.
Word Family of 鬒
Words Containing This Character1
鬒zhěnbushy black hair
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 鬒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鬒
No, 鬒 is primarily used in literary contexts rather than everyday speech.
The correct pronunciation is zhěn, with a falling-rising tone.
Yes, words like 漂亮的头发 (piàoliang de tóufǎ) meaning 'beautiful hair' can be used, but they are not as specific.