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戬 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
戬jiǎnto exterminate, to destroy; blessingg, 14 strokes, radical 戈
戬jiǎncarry to the utmostunknown, 14 strokes, radical 戈
戬jiǎnto cutunknown, 14 strokes, radical 戈
jiǎn(jian3) T3
  1. 1to exterminate, to destroy; blessing
  2. 2carry to the utmost
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

戬(戩)jiǎn(jian3)

The character 戬 (jiǎn) encompasses meanings related to destruction and blessing. It is often used in contexts where something is being cut down or exterminated, but it can also imply carrying something to its maximum or utmost state. This duality of meaning can create nuanced interpretations in different contexts.

Strokes14Radical戈
Cultural Note

In ancient Chinese literature, characters like 戬 are often associated with martial themes, reflecting the historical importance of warfare and the concept of victory through destruction. The character can also be linked to blessings through the removal of obstacles.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sword (the radical 戈) cutting through obstacles, which represents both destruction and the act of carrying something to its limit. Picture someone using this sword to clear a path, connecting the action of 'extermination' with the idea of 'blessing' through the creation of a new way.

Meanings of 戬

jiǎn(jian3)
1to exterminate, to destroy; blessing
2carry to the utmost
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 戬

戬Simplified
戩Traditional
14Strokes
戈Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 戬

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Podcast: 戬

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AI Study Notes for 戬

Usage Notes

When using 戬, be cautious not to confuse it with similar characters like 剪 (jiǎn), which means 'to cut' in a more benign sense. This character is more formal and might appear in literary or historical contexts rather than everyday conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 戬 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance comprehension of literary texts. Students should focus on recognizing its components and meanings, as it helps connect to other characters involving cutting or destruction.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 戬 with 剪 (jiǎn), mistakenly using 戬 in casual contexts where 剪 would be more appropriate. For instance, saying '我想用戬纸' should be corrected to '我想用剪纸' (I want to cut paper).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 戬

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Etymology of 戬

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

spear

Semantic (meaning)戈
+
Phonetic (sound)晋
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 戬

  1. 1The meaning half戈 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half晋 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayspear
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 戬? 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 戬?

Decomposition of 戬

IDS Structure⿰晋戈
戬Full Character
=
晋Jin4
left
戈Ge1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 戬?

How to say to exterminate, to destroy; blessing in Chinese

“to exterminate, to destroy; blessing” in Chinese is戬jiǎn

The character 戬 (jiǎn) encompasses meanings related to destruction and blessing. It is often used in contexts where something is being cut down or exterminated, but it can also imply carrying something to its maximum or utmost state. This duality of meaning can create nuanced interpretations in different contexts.

When to use 戬

When using 戬, be cautious not to confuse it with similar characters like 剪 (jiǎn), which means 'to cut' in a more benign sense. This character is more formal and might appear in literary or historical contexts rather than everyday conversation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 戬 with 剪 (jiǎn), mistakenly using 戬 in casual contexts where 剪 would be more appropriate. For instance, saying '我想用戬纸' should be corrected to '我想用剪纸' (I want to cut paper).

Write 戬

戬

Practice writing 戬 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 戬

Words Containing This Character1
戬jiǎnto cut戩
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 戬 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 戬

Synonyms include 毁灭 (huǐmiè), which means 'to destroy', and 削 (xuē), which means 'to cut down'.

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