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掀 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
掀xiānto lift (a lid)HSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #16287, Very Hard
掀xiānto rockHSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #16287, Very Hard
掀xiānto convulseHSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #16287, Very Hard
掀xiānto stir up; to turn overHSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #16287, Very Hard
xiān(xian1)xian T1
  1. 1to lift (a lid)
  2. 2to rock
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March 24, 2026

掀xiān(xian1)

The character 掀 (xiān) primarily means 'to lift' or 'to raise,' often used in contexts like lifting a lid or turning something over. It can also imply stirring up or causing a disturbance, such as in emotions or situations. This word is commonly used in both everyday and more formal contexts.

Strokes11Radical扌Frequency#16287DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the act of lifting a lid might symbolize revealing secrets or uncovering hidden truths, which is a common theme in stories and folklore.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant hand gently lifting a lid off a pot, representing the action of 掀 (xiān). The character has the radical 扌 (hand), emphasizing the action of lifting or manipulating something with your hand.

Meanings of 掀

xiān(xian1)
1to lift (a lid)
2to rock
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 掀

掀Simplified
11Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#16287Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 掀

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Podcast: 掀

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AI Study Notes for 掀

Quick Contrast

掀 (xiān) vs 抬 (tái) — use 掀 for actions involving lifting something that covers or conceals, while 抬 is more general for lifting or raising to a higher position.

Usage Notes

Be careful to use 掀 (xiān) in contexts where lifting or turning over is appropriate; it may be confusing with similar verbs like 提 (tí), which also means 'to lift.' It's informal but can be used in a variety of contexts, from casual conversation to more descriptive writing.

HSK Study Tips

While 掀 (xiān) is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with other action verbs at the same level. Students should focus on the nuances of lifting and turning, as well as related verbs that convey similar meanings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 掀 (xiān) with 提 (tí); for example, saying '我提盖子' (wǒ tí gài zi) instead of '我掀盖子' (wǒ xiān gài zi) when referring to lifting a lid. Remember, 掀 emphasizes the motion of lifting something off.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 掀

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Etymology of 掀

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

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 欣 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

hand

Semantic (meaning)扌
+
Phonetic (sound)欣
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

掀 = 扌 + 欣. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 掀

IDS Structure⿰扌欣
掀Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
欣xin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 掀?

How to say to lift (a lid) in Chinese

“to lift (a lid)” in Chinese is掀xiān

The character 掀 (xiān) primarily means 'to lift' or 'to raise,' often used in contexts like lifting a lid or turning something over. It can also imply stirring up or causing a disturbance, such as in emotions or situations. This word is commonly used in both everyday and more formal contexts.

When to use 掀

Be careful to use 掀 (xiān) in contexts where lifting or turning over is appropriate; it may be confusing with similar verbs like 提 (tí), which also means 'to lift.' It's informal but can be used in a variety of contexts, from casual conversation to more descriptive writing.

掀 or something close to it

掀 (xiān) vs 抬 (tái) — use 掀 for actions involving lifting something that covers or conceals, while 抬 is more general for lifting or raising to a higher position.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 掀 (xiān) with 提 (tí); for example, saying '我提盖子' (wǒ tí gài zi) instead of '我掀盖子' (wǒ xiān gài zi) when referring to lifting a lid. Remember, 掀 emphasizes the motion of lifting something off.

Write 掀

掀

Practice writing 掀 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 掀

掀 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.

Exercise 1 of 5

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

将会裁员160人的消息在该团体中____起了一阵骚动。

News of 160 redundancies had sent tremors through the community.

Example Sentences for 掀 (8)

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1
将会裁员160人的消息在该团体中掀起了一阵骚动。

jiāng huì cái yuán160 160 rén de xiāo xī zài gāi tuán tǐ zhōng xiān qǐ le yī zhèn sāo。

News of 160 redundancies had sent tremors through the community.
2
一阵狂风把铺在屋顶上的一块金属片掀起来了。

yī zhèn kuáng fēng bǎ pū zài wū dǐng shàng de yī kuài jīn shǔ piàn xiān qǐ lái le。

A gust of wind pried loose a section of sheet-metal roofing.
3
救生艇倾覆,艇里的人被掀入水中。

jiù shēng tǐng qīng fù, , tǐng lǐ de rén bèi xiān rù shuǐ。

The lifeboat capsized, throwing the occupants into the water.
4
安掀开被子,急忙下了床。

ān xiān kāi bèi zǐ, , jí máng xià le。

Ann threw back the covers and scrambled out of bed.
5
詹姆斯通常开一辆小巧的掀背车。

zhān mǔ sī tōng cháng kāi yī liàng xiǎo qiǎo de xiān bèi chē。

James usually drives a little hatchback.
6
在纽伯里举行的伯克郡障碍赛中“水玉精灵”把骑师掀了下来。

zài niǔ bó lǐ jǔ háng de bó kè jùn zhàng ài sài zhōng“ “ shuǐ yù jīng” líng ” bǎ qí shī xiān le。

Crystal Spirit unseated his rider in the Berkshire Hurdle at Newbury.
7
数百名年轻人在镇上横冲直撞,砸碎商店玻璃,掀翻车辆。

shù bǎi míng nián qīng rén zài zhèn shàng héng chōng zhí zhuàng, , zá suì shāng diàn bō, lí , xiān fān。

Hundreds of youths rampaged through the town, shop windows were smashed and cars overturned.
8
马把骑者掀落在地上.

mǎ bǎ qí zhě xiān luò zài dì shàng.

The horse threw its rider.

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Word Family of 掀

Words Containing This Character8
掀起xiānqǐto lift
掀xiānto rock
掀开to lift open掀開
掀翻to overturn
掀动to stir掀動
掀天揭地earth-shattering
掀腾to surge up掀騰
掀风鼓浪to raise a storm掀風鼓浪
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 掀

What does 掀起 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 掀

You can use 掀 in phrases like 掀起盖子 (xiān qǐ gài zi) meaning 'to lift the lid'.

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