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刎 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
刎wěnto behead, to cut the throatg, 6 strokes, radical 刂
刎wěncut across (throat)unknown, 6 strokes, radical 刂
wěn(wen3)wen T3
  1. 1to behead, to cut the throat
  2. 2cut across (throat)
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March 24, 2026

刎wěn(wen3)

The character 刎 (wěn) means to behead or to cut the throat. It is often used in contexts involving severe actions or historical references, particularly in literature about warfare or executions. The character carries a strong connotation of violence and is less common in everyday conversation.

Strokes6Radical刂
Cultural Note

In ancient Chinese history, beheading was a common punishment for severe crimes and is often referenced in classical literature, reflecting the harshness of the justice system at that time. The character 刎 serves as a reminder of these historical practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a fierce warrior wielding a sword (the radical 刀 for 'knife') to cut across the throat of an enemy, thereby 'wěn'-ding them. The shape of the character resembles a knife making a decisive cut, reinforcing the idea of beheading.

Meanings of 刎

wěn(wen3)
1to behead, to cut the throat
2cut across (throat)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 刎

刎Simplified
6Strokes
刂Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 刎

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Podcast: 刎

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AI Study Notes for 刎

Quick Contrast

斩 (zhǎn) - 刎 is specifically about beheading or cutting the throat, while 斩 refers more generally to cutting or chopping, often in a broader sense of execution.

Usage Notes

This character is primarily used in literary or historical contexts rather than in everyday speech. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with similar characters like 斩 (zhǎn), which also means to cut but in a less specific way. It's important to use it with care, as it may come off as too graphic in casual conversations.

HSK Study Tips

While 刎 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance comprehension of historical texts and literature at HSK level 5 and above. Focus on recognizing it in context, especially in discussions about historical events or characters in stories.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 刎 with 切 (qiē), which means 'to cut' in a more general and neutral sense. An example of a mistake is using 刎 casually, such as saying 刎这个苹果 (wěn zhège píngguǒ) to mean 'cut this apple,' when it should be 切这个苹果 (qiē zhège píngguǒ).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 刎

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Etymology of 刎

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 刂 represents the meaning and 勿 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

knife

Semantic (meaning)刂
+
Phonetic (sound)勿
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

刎 = 刂 + 勿. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 刎

IDS Structure⿰勿刂
刎Full Character
=
勿wu4
left
刂dao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 刎?

How to say to behead, to cut the throat in Chinese

“to behead, to cut the throat” in Chinese is刎wěn

The character 刎 (wěn) means to behead or to cut the throat. It is often used in contexts involving severe actions or historical references, particularly in literature about warfare or executions. The character carries a strong connotation of violence and is less common in everyday conversation.

When to use 刎

This character is primarily used in literary or historical contexts rather than in everyday speech. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with similar characters like 斩 (zhǎn), which also means to cut but in a less specific way. It's important to use it with care, as it may come off as too graphic in casual conversations.

刎 or something close to it

斩 (zhǎn) - 刎 is specifically about beheading or cutting the throat, while 斩 refers more generally to cutting or chopping, often in a broader sense of execution.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 刎 with 切 (qiē), which means 'to cut' in a more general and neutral sense. An example of a mistake is using 刎 casually, such as saying 刎这个苹果 (wěn zhège píngguǒ) to mean 'cut this apple,' when it should be 切这个苹果 (qiē zhège píngguǒ).

Write 刎

刎

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

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Word Family of 刎

Words Containing This Character2
自刎to commit suicide by cutting one's own throat
刎wěncut across (throat)
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 刎

What does 自刎 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 刎

No, 刎 is rarely used in everyday speech and is mostly found in literary or historical contexts.

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