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兼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
兼
jiān
double
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 丷, rank #5523, Very Hard
兼
jiān
twice
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 丷, rank #5523, Very Hard
兼
jiān
simultaneous
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 丷, rank #5523, Very Hard
兼
jiān
holding two or more (official) posts at the same time
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 丷, rank #5523, Very Hard
兼
jiān
both, and; at the same time; to unite, to combine
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 丷, rank #5523, Very Hard
jiān(jian1)jian T1
1double
2twice
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March 24, 2026
兼jiān(jian1)
The character 兼 (jiān) primarily means to hold two or more positions or roles at the same time. It is often used in contexts where one person is performing multiple duties simultaneously or combining different functions. This word can also imply unity or combination in a broader sense.
Strokes10Radical丷Frequency#5523DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, it is not uncommon for professionals to hold multiple positions, reflecting a value on versatility and resourcefulness. This is especially prevalent in sectors like academia and government, where officials may serve in various capacities.
Memory tip
Think of 兼 (jiān) as a person juggling multiple roles, with the character resembling a figure balancing tasks. The left side represents the concept of 'together' or 'and', while the right hints at combining efforts, making it easier to remember that it means to hold multiple positions at once.
Meanings of 兼
jiān(jian1)
1double
2twice
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 兼
兼Simplified
10Strokes
丷Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5523Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 兼
Podcast: 兼
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AI study notes for 兼
Quick Contrast
兼 (jiān) vs 兼任 (jiān rèn) — use 兼 when emphasizing the act of holding multiple roles, while 兼任 specifically refers to holding an official position in addition to another.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 兼 with similar words that imply exclusivity or singularity, such as 专 (zhuān), which means to focus on one area. Use 兼 in both formal and informal contexts but be cautious about its nuances in specific job roles or responsibilities. Common collocations include 兼任 (jiān rèn) meaning to concurrently hold office.
HSK Study Tips
While 兼 may not appear in lower HSK levels, understanding it is beneficial as it connects with roles and duties vocabulary. Students should focus on its usage in compound words and phrases, especially in professional contexts related to job titles and responsibilities.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 兼 when referring to exclusive roles, such as saying '他兼是学生' (Tā jiān shì xuéshēng) to mean 'He is only a student', which should be '他只是学生' (Tā zhǐ shì xuéshēng). Remember, 兼 implies multiple roles, not singularity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 兼
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Knowing 兼 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 兼 (jiān) primarily means to hold two or more positions or roles at the same time. It is often used in contexts where one person is performing multiple duties simultaneously or combining different functions. This word can also imply unity or combination in a broader sense.
When to use 兼
Learners often confuse 兼 with similar words that imply exclusivity or singularity, such as 专 (zhuān), which means to focus on one area. Use 兼 in both formal and informal contexts but be cautious about its nuances in specific job roles or responsibilities. Common collocations include 兼任 (jiān rèn) meaning to concurrently hold office.
兼 or something close to it
兼 (jiān) vs 兼任 (jiān rèn) — use 兼 when emphasizing the act of holding multiple roles, while 兼任 specifically refers to holding an official position in addition to another.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 兼 when referring to exclusive roles, such as saying '他兼是学生' (Tā jiān shì xuéshēng) to mean 'He is only a student', which should be '他只是学生' (Tā zhǐ shì xuéshēng). Remember, 兼 implies multiple roles, not singularity.
Write 兼
兼
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Practice writing 兼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 兼
兼 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 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.
This famous fortress and prison is located on the River Thames, near the Tower Bridge.
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Word Family of 兼
Compounds38
歉qiànto apologize
嫌xiánto dislike
赚zhuànto earn
廉liánold variant of 廉[lián]
谦qiānmodest
搛jiānto pick up with chopsticks
傔qiàn
嗛qiǎn
尲gān
慊qiànsatisfied, content
缣jiānfine silk
蒹jiāncommon reed; Phragmites communis
豏xiàn
隒yǎn
鬑lián
鳒jiān
鹣jiānphoenix; fabulous mythical bird
亷lián
凲gān
嵰qiǎn
槏qiǎn
溓lián
熑lián
甉xián
磏lián
稴xián
縑jiān
膁qiǎn
螊lián
謙qiānhumble, modest
賺zhuànto earn, to profit, to make money
鎌lián
馦xiān
魐gān
鰜qiàn
鶼jiānphoenix; fabulous mythical bird
鹻jiǎn
鼸xiàn
Words containing this character20
兼jiāndouble
兼职jiānzhíconcurrent job兼職
兼顾jiāngùto attend simultaneously to two or more things兼顧
兼并jiānbìngto annex兼併
兼容jiānróngcompatible
兼任jiānrènconcurrent post
兼备jiānbèihave both兼備
兼具jiānjùto combine
兼容性jiānróngxìngcompatibility
兼有jiānyǒuto combine
品学兼优pǐnxuéjiānyōua paragon of virtue and learning品學兼優
兼而有之jiān’éryǒuzhīto have both (at the same time)
软硬兼施ruǎnyìngjiānshīuse both carrot and stick軟硬兼施
兼营jiānyínga second job兼營
德才兼备décái-jiānbèihaving both integrity and talent (idiom)德才兼備
统筹兼顾tǒngchóujiāngùan overall plan taking into account all factors統籌兼顧
兼程jiānchéngto make all haste
兼收并蓄jiānshōubìngxùeclectic兼收並蓄
日夜兼程rìyèjiānchéngto travel day and night
兼爱jiānài"universal love", principle advocated by Mozi 墨子[Mòzǐ], stressing that people should care for everyone equally兼愛
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 兼
What does 歉 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 兼
You might say, '他兼任两份工作' (Tā jiān rèn liǎng fèn gōngzuò) meaning 'He holds two jobs simultaneously.'
兼 emphasizes the aspect of holding multiple roles simultaneously, whereas 同时 (tóngshí) simply means 'at the same time' without the implication of multiple roles.
Yes, it can describe situations where two or more activities or characteristics coexist, not just in job roles.
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