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March 24, 2026
悬(懸)xuán(xuan2)
The character 悬 (xuán) means to hang or suspend something, both physically and metaphorically. It can indicate a state of worry or uncertainty, as well as refer to unresolved issues or baseless claims. Commonly used in both everyday contexts, such as hanging objects, and in more abstract situations like expressing concerns or doubts.
Strokes11Radical心Frequency#6956DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of hanging or suspension can be linked to traditional practices such as hanging lanterns during festivals, which symbolize hope and guidance. Additionally, the idea of unresolved matters resonates with the cultural importance placed on harmony and resolution in social relationships.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'xuán' (suspense) movie where a character hangs from a cliff, creating tension. The radical '氵' (water) suggests depth, while the '悬' suggests something floating or hanging in the air, evoking a sense of worry and uncertainty.
Meanings of 悬
xuán(xuan2)
1to hang or suspend
2to worry
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 悬
悬Simplified
懸Traditional
11Strokes
心Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6956Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 悬
Podcast: 悬
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AI Study Notes for 悬
Quick Contrast
悬 (xuán) vs 吊 (diào) — use 悬 for metaphorical or abstract hanging, while 吊 is more physical and often refers specifically to suspending objects.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'xuán' (suspense) movie where a character hangs from a cliff, creating tension. The radical '氵' (water) suggests depth, while the '悬' suggests something floating or hanging in the air, evoking a sense of worry and uncertainty.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 悬 with other similar characters like 懸, which is a variant form. This word is generally used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in written language. Pay attention to the tone; the second tone (xuán) is crucial to avoid misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 悬 is not part of the official HSK levels, it connects well with HSK vocabulary related to emotions and states of being, such as 担心 (dān xīn - to worry). Focus on practicing the different contexts where 悬 can be used to express both physical and emotional states.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of hanging or suspension can be linked to traditional practices such as hanging lanterns during festivals, which symbolize hope and guidance. Additionally, the idea of unresolved matters resonates with the cultural importance placed on harmony and resolution in social relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 悬 with the verb 挂 (guà), which specifically means 'to hang' in a more physical sense. For example, saying '我悬衣服' (wǒ xuán yīfu) is incorrect; it should be '我挂衣服' (wǒ guà yīfu) for 'I hang the clothes.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 悬
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Grammar Patterns of 悬
悬 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 7 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
____吊的屋顶下是一条宽阔的游廊。
There is a wide veranda under the overhang of the roof.
Example Sentences for 悬 (10)
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1
悬吊的屋顶下是一条宽阔的游廊。
xuán diào de wū dǐng xià shì yī tiáo kuān kuò de yóu láng。
There is a wide veranda under the overhang of the roof.
2
一团油腻的黑色烟雾飘到悬崖顶上。
yī tuán yóu nì de hēi sè yān wù piāo dào xuán yá dǐng shàng。
A pall of oily black smoke drifted over the cliff-top.
3
关于他工作的许多重要问题仍然悬而未决。
guān yú tā gōng zuò de xǔ duō zhòng yào wèn tí réng rán xuán ér wèi jué。
Major questions remain to be answered about his work.
A bounty of $50,000 was put on Dr. Alvarez's head.
Cultural Notes for 悬
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of hanging or suspension can be linked to traditional practices such as hanging lanterns during festivals, which symbolize hope and guidance. Additionally, the idea of unresolved matters resonates with the cultural importance placed on harmony and resolution in social relationships.
Word Family of 悬
Words Containing This Character20
悬xuánto worry懸
悬崖xuányáprecipice懸崖
悬念xuánniànconcern for sb's welfare懸念
悬挂xuánguàto suspend懸掛
悬赏bounty懸賞
悬殊xuánshūwidely different懸殊
悬浮suspension懸浮
悬案unresolved question懸案
悬而未决pending a decision懸而未決
悬疑suspense懸疑
悬空to hang in the air懸空
磁悬浮maglev磁懸浮
口若悬河eloquent口若懸河
悬崖峭壁xuányáqiàobìsheer cliffs and precipitous rock faces (idiom)懸崖峭壁
悬停to hover (helicopter, computer mouse etc)懸停
悬崖勒马fig. to act in the nick of time懸崖勒馬
悬雍垂uvula (biology)懸雍垂
悬臂cantilever懸臂
悬浮物suspended matter懸浮物
倒悬lit. to hang upside down倒懸
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 悬 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 悬
You can say '他的心悬着' (tā de xīn xuán zhe) which means 'His heart is hanging (in suspense/worry).'
Some synonyms include 挂 (guà - to hang) and 悬挂 (xuán guà - to suspend).
Yes, '悬而未决' (xuán ér wèi jué) means 'to be unresolved' or 'to hang in the balance'.
