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巽 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
巽xùnmild, modest, obedient; southeast; 5th of the 8 trigramsHSK 7, g, 12 strokes, radical 巳, Very Hard
巽xùnto obeyHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 巳, Very Hard
巽xùnone of the Eight Trigrams 八卦[ba1 gua4], symbolizing wood and windHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 巳, Very Hard
巽xùn☴HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 巳, Very Hard
巽xùnancient Chinese compass point: 135° (southeast)HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 巳, Very Hard
xùn(xun4) T4
  1. 1mild, modest, obedient; southeast; 5th of the 8 trigrams
  2. 2to obey
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March 24, 2026

巽xùn(xun4)

The character 巽 (xùn) encompasses meanings related to being mild, modest, and obedient. It is also associated with the southeast direction and represents one of the Eight Trigrams, symbolizing wood and wind in Chinese philosophy. In context, it often conveys the idea of compliance and gentleness.

Strokes12Radical巳DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of obedience represented by 巽 is significant in Confucian teachings, where modesty and compliance are valued traits. The southeast direction is also considered auspicious for certain activities, such as starting new ventures.

Memory Tip

Visualize a gentle breeze (representing 'wind') softly bending a tree (symbolizing 'wood'). The character 巽 has a flowing shape, reminiscent of the movement of wind through branches, which helps connect the sound 'xùn' with the meaning of softness and obedience.

Meanings of 巽

xùn(xun4)
1mild, modest, obedient; southeast; 5th of the 8 trigrams
2to obey
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 巽

巽Simplified
12Strokes
巳Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 巽

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Podcast: 巽

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AI Study Notes for 巽

Usage Notes

When using 巽, be careful not to confuse it with other directional characters. It is more formal than casual terms for 'obey.' Common phrases include 巽而行 (to act obediently) and its use in traditional texts related to the I Ching. Watch for the tone; a mispronunciation can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

Although 巽 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other directional and philosophical terms at higher levels. Focus on understanding its usage in the context of the Eight Trigrams and how it relates to Chinese cosmology.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use 巽 in informal contexts where simpler words would suffice. For example, saying '我很巽' (I am very obedient) is incorrect; it's better to use '我很听话' (I am very obedient).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 巽

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Etymology of 巽

Explanation

Depicts two people kneeling (卩) together in obedience.

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Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 巽

Depicts two people kneeling (卩) together in obedience.

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

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Decomposition of 巽

IDS Structure⿱⿰巳巳共
巽Full Character
=
巳si4
left
巳si4
right
共gong4
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 巽?

How to say mild, modest, obedient; southeast; 5th of the 8 trigrams in Chinese

“mild, modest, obedient; southeast; 5th of the 8 trigrams” in Chinese is巽xùn

The character 巽 (xùn) encompasses meanings related to being mild, modest, and obedient. It is also associated with the southeast direction and represents one of the Eight Trigrams, symbolizing wood and wind in Chinese philosophy. In context, it often conveys the idea of compliance and gentleness.

When to use 巽

When using 巽, be careful not to confuse it with other directional characters. It is more formal than casual terms for 'obey.' Common phrases include 巽而行 (to act obediently) and its use in traditional texts related to the I Ching. Watch for the tone; a mispronunciation can change the meaning entirely.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use 巽 in informal contexts where simpler words would suffice. For example, saying '我很巽' (I am very obedient) is incorrect; it's better to use '我很听话' (I am very obedient).

Write 巽

巽

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

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Word Family of 巽

Words Containing This Character1
巽xùn☴
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 巽 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 巽

It represents the trigram associated with wind and wood, symbolizing qualities of gentleness and obedience.

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