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相传 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
相传xiāngchuánto pass onHSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #25385, Hard
相传xiāngchuánto hand downHSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #25385, Hard
相传xiāngchuántradition has it that ...HSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #25385, Hard
相传xiāngchuánaccording to legendHSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #25385, Hard
xiāngchuán(xiang1chuan2) T1
  1. 1to pass on
  2. 2to hand down
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March 24, 2026

相传(相傳)xiāngchuán(xiang1chuan2)

相传 (xiāng chuán) means 'to pass on' or 'to hand down,' often used in the context of legends or traditions that have been transmitted through generations. It implies a sense of storytelling and folklore, indicating that the information may not be verified but is widely accepted as true.

Strokes15Frequency#25385DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, many practices, beliefs, and stories are passed down through generations. 相传 is often used when discussing historical events, famous figures, or moral tales integral to Chinese heritage, emphasizing the importance of oral tradition.

Memory Tip

Think of 相 (xiāng) as two people (the radicals represent 'interact' or 'mutual') passing something (传, chuán) to each other. Imagine a storyteller sharing tales by a campfire, where stories are passed on from one person to another, creating a chain of tradition.

Meanings of 相传

xiāngchuán(xiang1chuan2)
1to pass on
2to hand down
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 相传

相传Simplified
相傳Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 相传

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Podcast: 相传

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AI Study Notes for 相传

Quick Contrast

传说 (chuánshuō) — use 相传 for the act of passing down information, whereas 传说 refers specifically to the legends or stories themselves.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 相传 with similar terms like 传说 (chuán shuō), which specifically means 'legend' or 'folklore.' This phrase is generally informal and used in storytelling contexts. A common mistake is to use it in a formal report, where a more factual term would be appropriate.

HSK Study Tips

While 相传 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other words related to folklore and culture. Focus on the characters and how they combine to convey the meaning of passing down stories or traditions. Understanding this can enhance comprehension of cultural narratives in Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 相传 by pairing it with factual statements, leading to awkward phrases like '相传这件事是真的' (it is passed down that this matter is true), which should be avoided. A better phrasing would be '据说这件事是相传的' (it is said that this matter is passed down).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 相传

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Component Characters

相Xiāngeach other
9 strokes目
View full entry
传chuánto pass on
HSK 56 strokes亻
View full entry

How to say to pass on in Chinese

“to pass on” in Chinese is相传xiāngchuán

相传 (xiāng chuán) means 'to pass on' or 'to hand down,' often used in the context of legends or traditions that have been transmitted through generations. It implies a sense of storytelling and folklore, indicating that the information may not be verified but is widely accepted as true.

When to use 相传

Be cautious not to confuse 相传 with similar terms like 传说 (chuán shuō), which specifically means 'legend' or 'folklore.' This phrase is generally informal and used in storytelling contexts. A common mistake is to use it in a formal report, where a more factual term would be appropriate.

相传 or something close to it

传说 (chuánshuō) — use 相传 for the act of passing down information, whereas 传说 refers specifically to the legends or stories themselves.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 相传 by pairing it with factual statements, leading to awkward phrases like '相传这件事是真的' (it is passed down that this matter is true), which should be avoided. A better phrasing would be '据说这件事是相传的' (it is said that this matter is passed down).

Write 相传

相
传

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 相传

Yes, it is commonly used in storytelling, literature, and discussions about traditions.

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