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March 24, 2026
抟(摶)tuán(tuan2)
The character 抟 (tuán) means to roll something in one's hands or mold it into a specific shape, often referring to the action of creating a circular or spherical form. It can be used in contexts like modeling clay or shaping dough, emphasizing a tactile and hands-on approach to crafting.
Strokes7Radical扌Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese crafts, the act of shaping materials by hand is highly valued, reflecting the importance of craftsmanship in Chinese culture. This character can relate to practices such as making dumplings or crafting clay figurines.
Memory Tip
Think of 抟 as a hand (the radical 扌) rolling a ball (the circular shape implied by the meaning). Imagine yourself rolling dough into a perfect ball, saying 'tuán' as you do it, to remember both the action and pronunciation.
Meanings of 抟
tuán(tuan2)
1to roll around in one's hand; to model
2to roll up into a ball with one's hands
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 抟
抟Simplified
摶Traditional
7Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 抟
Podcast: 抟
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AI Study Notes for 抟
Quick Contrast
捏 (niē) - use 抟 (tuán) when emphasizing rolling or molding into a spherical shape, while 捏 (niē) focuses more on pinching or pressing.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 抟 as a hand (the radical 扌) rolling a ball (the circular shape implied by the meaning). Imagine yourself rolling dough into a perfect ball, saying 'tuán' as you do it, to remember both the action and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
This verb is generally used in informal contexts, often related to crafting or cooking. A common mistake is confusing it with 圆 (yuán), which also means round but does not imply the action of shaping it. Remember to use the correct tone for 'tuán' to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 抟 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it shares a conceptual link with other words related to shaping or rolling, such as 圆 (yuán) and 团 (tuán). Focus on the context of hands-on actions to strengthen your understanding.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese crafts, the act of shaping materials by hand is highly valued, reflecting the importance of craftsmanship in Chinese culture. This character can relate to practices such as making dumplings or crafting clay figurines.
Common Mistakes
Students often confuse 抟 with 圆 (yuán) when trying to describe something round. For example, saying '我把面团变成圆' instead of '我用手抟面团' (I used my hands to shape the dough).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 抟
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Cultural Notes for 抟
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese crafts, the act of shaping materials by hand is highly valued, reflecting the importance of craftsmanship in Chinese culture. This character can relate to practices such as making dumplings or crafting clay figurines.
Word Family of 抟
Words Containing This Character1
抟tuánspiral摶
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 抟 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 抟
While 抟 focuses on the action of rolling or shaping, 圆 simply describes a round shape without implying the action.
No, 抟 is more commonly used in informal contexts, especially related to hands-on activities.
It is mostly used for shaping soft materials like dough or clay, not for hard materials.
