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March 24, 2026
徇xùn(xun4)
The character 徇 (xùn) primarily means to follow or comply with something, often reflecting a sense of obedience or submission. It can also imply displaying something publicly or being swayed by personal considerations, making it relevant in contexts involving decision-making and ethical dilemmas.
Strokes9Radical彳Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of following rules or social norms is deeply ingrained. The character 徇 reflects a value placed on compliance with societal expectations, particularly in family and community settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with a 'follow' sign (the character 徇 resembles a person holding a sign) being swayed by the crowd around them. The '人' (person) component suggests individual action, while '循' (to follow) shows the act of complying with others, linking the character's form to its meaning.
Meanings of 徇
xùn(xun4)
1to follow, to comply with; to display
2to give in to
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 徇
徇Simplified
9Strokes
彳Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 徇
Podcast: 徇
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AI Study Notes for 徇
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person with a 'follow' sign (the character 徇 resembles a person holding a sign) being swayed by the crowd around them. The '人' (person) component suggests individual action, while '循' (to follow) shows the act of complying with others, linking the character's form to its meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 徇 with similar-sounding characters, leading to misinterpretation. It is generally used in formal contexts, particularly in legal or ethical discussions. Be mindful of tone; the fourth tone can change the meaning significantly.
HSK Study Tips
Though not in the HSK levels, understanding 徇 can enhance comprehension of complex texts, especially those discussing moral or legal themes. Focus on its usage in phrases and idioms to see how it interacts with other vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of following rules or social norms is deeply ingrained. The character 徇 reflects a value placed on compliance with societal expectations, particularly in family and community settings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 徇 with 循 (xún), which means to follow in a more general sense. For example, using 徇 in place of 循 in '循规蹈矩' (to follow rules) is incorrect; the correct character in this case is 循.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 徇
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Cultural Notes for 徇
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of following rules or social norms is deeply ingrained. The character 徇 reflects a value placed on compliance with societal expectations, particularly in family and community settings.
Word Family of 徇
Words Containing This Character4
徇私舞弊to abuse one's position for personal gain (idiom)
徇xùnto give in to
徇情to show partiality
徇情枉法to bend the law in order to favor one's relatives or associates (idiom)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 徇私舞弊 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 徇
Common phrases include 徇私 (to comply with personal interests) and 徇法 (to follow the law).
It is pronounced as 'xùn' in Mandarin, with a falling tone.
It is more commonly found in formal or literary contexts than in casual conversation.
