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冼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
冼xiǎnsurnamenr, 8 strokes, radical 冫
冼xiǎnsurname Xianunknown, 8 strokes, radical 冫
xiǎn(Xian3) T3
  1. 1surname
Also a Chinese surname, Xian — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

冼xiǎn(Xian3)

The character 冼 (xiǎn) is primarily used as a surname in Chinese. It is not commonly used in everyday vocabulary outside of proper names, and its usage is more prevalent in specific regions or among certain family lineages.

Strokes8Radical冫
Cultural Note

The surname 冼 has historical significance, often associated with notable figures in Chinese history, particularly in southern regions like Guangdong. It reflects the rich tapestry of Chinese genealogy and the importance of family lineage in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

To remember 冼, think of a 'shower' (the character looks like a person under water droplets) and imagine someone washing away their worries. The pronunciation 'xiǎn' can remind you of 'shine' as if the water makes everything bright again.

Meanings of 冼

xiǎn(Xian3)
1surname
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 冼

冼Simplified
8Strokes
冫Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 冼

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Podcast: 冼

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AI Study Notes for 冼

Usage Notes

When using the surname 冼, it is important to note that it is less common than many other Chinese surnames. This character is more formal and should be used in contexts where surnames are required, such as formal introductions or documentation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 冼 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for learners to recognize surnames in Chinese. Understanding this character can help learners connect with family names and improve their comprehension when interacting with native speakers.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 冼 with similar-sounding surnames, such as 仙 (xiān) or 鲜 (xiān). It's important to clarify the context when using names to avoid confusion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 冼

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Etymology of 冼

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Phonetic (sound)先
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 冼

  1. 1The sound half先 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  2. 2On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 冼? 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 冼?

Decomposition of 冼

IDS Structure⿰冫先
冼Full Character
=
冫bing1
left
先xian1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 冼?

How to say surname in Chinese

“surname” in Chinese is冼xiǎn

The character 冼 (xiǎn) is primarily used as a surname in Chinese. It is not commonly used in everyday vocabulary outside of proper names, and its usage is more prevalent in specific regions or among certain family lineages.

When to use 冼

When using the surname 冼, it is important to note that it is less common than many other Chinese surnames. This character is more formal and should be used in contexts where surnames are required, such as formal introductions or documentation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 冼 with similar-sounding surnames, such as 仙 (xiān) or 鲜 (xiān). It's important to clarify the context when using names to avoid confusion.

Write 冼

冼

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 冼

Words Containing This Character2
冼xiǎnsurname Xian
冼星海Xian Xinghai (1905-1945), violinist and composer, known for patriotic wartime pieces, including Yellow River Oratorio 黃河大合唱|黄河大合唱
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 冼 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 冼

No, 冼 is not one of the most common Chinese surnames, but it does exist and is recognized in certain regions.

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