HSK 7, zg, 10 strokes, radical 手, rank #1897, Hard
拳
quán
boxing
HSK 7, zg, 10 strokes, radical 手, rank #1897, Hard
拳
quán
fist; various forms of boxing
HSK 7, zg, 10 strokes, radical 手, rank #1897, Hard
quán(quan2) T2
1fist
2boxing
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March 24, 2026
拳quán(quan2)
The character 拳 (quán) primarily means 'fist' and is commonly used in contexts related to martial arts, boxing, or any activity involving striking with the hands. It can also refer to various forms of boxing or combat sports, emphasizing the physicality and strength associated with the fist.
Strokes10Radical手Frequency#1897DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, martial arts are highly regarded, with traditional styles often incorporating the concept of 拳 (fist) in their name, reflecting the importance of physical discipline and self-defense.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong fist (拳) punching through a wall. The character consists of the hand radical (扌) on the left, symbolizing 'hand,' and the right part (quán) sounds like 'kwan,' which you can think of as a boxing gym where people practice with their fists.
Meanings of 拳
quán(quan2)
1fist
2boxing
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 拳
拳Simplified
10Strokes
手Radical
状态词zgnv (stat.)Part of Speech
#1897Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 拳
Podcast: 拳
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AI Study Notes for 拳
Quick Contrast
拳 (quán) vs 手 (shǒu) — use 拳 specifically for 'fist' in striking contexts, while 手 refers to 'hand' in a broader sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a strong fist (拳) punching through a wall. The character consists of the hand radical (扌) on the left, symbolizing 'hand,' and the right part (quán) sounds like 'kwan,' which you can think of as a boxing gym where people practice with their fists.
Usage Notes
Fist (拳) is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions of martial arts. Students should be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words or characters that refer to other forms of fighting or sports. Common collocations include 拳击 (quánjī, boxing) and 拳法 (quánfǎ, boxing technique).
HSK Study Tips
Although 拳 (quán) is not an HSK word, it connects to vocabulary related to sports and physical activities that may appear in HSK levels 3-5, such as 打 (dǎ, to hit) and 武术 (wǔshù, martial arts). Students should focus on recognizing its usage in context and related terms.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, martial arts are highly regarded, with traditional styles often incorporating the concept of 拳 (fist) in their name, reflecting the importance of physical discipline and self-defense.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 拳 (quán) with 拳头 (quántóu), which specifically means 'fist' as a body part rather than the broader concept of boxing. A common error is using 拳 when referring to other forms of fighting, such as in 'karate' or 'taekwondo,' which have their own specific terms.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 拳
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Grammar Patterns of 拳
拳 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
He had never been knocked out in a professional fight.
10
布赖恩的脸鼓得像个拳头。
bù lài ēn de liǎn gǔ dé xiàng gè quán tóu。
Brian's face balled up like a fist.
Cultural Notes for 拳
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, martial arts are highly regarded, with traditional styles often incorporating the concept of 拳 (fist) in their name, reflecting the importance of physical discipline and self-defense.
Word Family of 拳
Compounds1
搼
Words Containing This Character20
拳quánfist
拳击boxing拳擊
拳头quántóufist拳頭
拳王boxing champion
跆拳道taekwondo (Korean martial art)
拳手boxer
拳击手boxer拳擊手
拳脚Chinese boxing拳腳
抱拳to cup one fist in the other hand (as a sign of respect)
太极拳tàijíquána martial art太極拳
打拳to do shadowboxing
拳打脚踢lit. to punch and kick (idiom); to beat up拳打腳踢
握拳to make a fist
赤手空拳unarmed and defenseless
铁拳Tekken (video game)鐵拳
摩拳擦掌to roll up one's sleeves for battle
拳头产品competitive product拳頭產品
拳法boxing
猜拳Morra
南拳Nanquan - "Southern Fist" (Chinese Martial Art)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 拳 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 拳
拳 (quán) is used in various contexts, including physical combat, sports, and idiomatic expressions. It may refer to boxing styles, martial arts techniques, or even be used metaphorically to describe strength or aggression. Understanding its usage can enhance your comprehension of Chinese martial arts vocabulary.
Yes, 拳 (quán) appears in several common phrases in Chinese, such as '拳击' (quánjī), meaning 'boxing.' It can also be found in idioms that convey strength or fighting spirit. Learning these phrases can help you understand cultural references related to martial arts.
拳 (quán) means 'fist' in Chinese and is often used in the context of boxing or martial arts. It can refer to the physical fist itself or the action of striking with a fist. Additionally, it is associated with various forms of boxing, indicating its cultural significance in combat sports.
You can use 拳 (quán) in sentences to describe actions involving a fist or boxing. For example, '他用拳打了对手' (Tā yòng quán dǎle duìshǒu) means 'He hit his opponent with a fist.' This demonstrates its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
It is pronounced as 'quán' with a rising tone.
Yes, it can refer to general fighting or physical confrontation, not limited to formal martial arts.
Common phrases include 拳击 (quánjī, boxing) and 拳头 (quántóu, fist).
