Meanings of 挛
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About 挛
Podcast: 挛
Podcast: 挛
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AI Study Notes for 挛
缠 (chán) — use 挛 (luán) for describing things that are twisted or bent out of shape, while 缠 (chán) focuses more on the act of entangling or wrapping.
This word is not commonly used in daily conversation, mostly appearing in literary or descriptive contexts. Be careful with the tone; it is pronounced with a rising tone (luán), which can be confused with the falling tone of 'luàn' (乱), meaning chaotic or disorderly.
Although 挛 is not included in the HSK lists, it can be related to other characters at the advanced levels that describe complex or twisted situations. Focus on understanding its use in context to improve your reading comprehension of more sophisticated texts.
Learners often confuse 挛 (luán) with 乱 (luàn), which has a different meaning. For example, saying '这条绳子很乱' (zhè tiáo shéngzi hěn luàn) incorrectly when referring to a tangled rope should properly use 挛: '这条绳子很挛'.
Pronunciation of 挛
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Etymology of 挛
hand
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 挛
- 1The meaning half手 carries the sense.
- 2The giveawayhand
- 3On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 挛? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 挛
Identify the Components
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How to say tangled, entwined; crooked in Chinese
“tangled, entwined; crooked” in Chinese is挛
The character 挛 (luán) primarily means tangled or entwined, often describing things that are twisted or bent out of shape. It can be used in both a literal sense, such as describing twisted branches, and a figurative sense, such as complex relationships or thoughts that are difficult to unravel.
When to use 挛
This word is not commonly used in daily conversation, mostly appearing in literary or descriptive contexts. Be careful with the tone; it is pronounced with a rising tone (luán), which can be confused with the falling tone of 'luàn' (乱), meaning chaotic or disorderly.
挛 or something close to it
缠 (chán) — use 挛 (luán) for describing things that are twisted or bent out of shape, while 缠 (chán) focuses more on the act of entangling or wrapping.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 挛 (luán) with 乱 (luàn), which has a different meaning. For example, saying '这条绳子很乱' (zhè tiáo shéngzi hěn luàn) incorrectly when referring to a tangled rope should properly use 挛: '这条绳子很挛'.
Write 挛
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Practice writing 挛 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 挛
挛 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 4 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.
Complete the Sentence
她仍然患有严重的胃痉____，感觉疼痛、疲乏、抑郁。
She continued to have severe stomach cramps, aches, fatigue, and depression.
Example Sentences for 挛 (5)
Word Family of 挛
Compound Meaning
What does 痉挛 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 挛
No, 挛 is more often found in literary contexts or descriptions rather than in daily speech.
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