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榫 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
sǔnmortise and tenon; to fit inton, 14 strokes, radical 木, Very Hard
sǔntenon (cabinetmaking)unknown, 14 strokes, radical 木, Very Hard
sǔn(sun3) T3
  1. 1mortise and tenon; to fit into
  2. 2tenon (cabinetmaking)
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March 24, 2026

sǔn(sun3)

The character 榫 (sǔn) refers to a mortise and tenon joint, a fundamental technique in woodworking and furniture making, especially in traditional Chinese carpentry. It describes a method where a protruding piece (tenon) fits into a corresponding hole (mortise) to create a strong connection between two pieces of wood. This technique is valued for its durability and aesthetic appeal in Chinese furniture design.

Strokes14RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

榫 is a key element of traditional Chinese architecture and furniture making, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations. It reflects the Chinese value placed on harmony and balance in design, as well as the emphasis on durability and functionality in home furnishings.

Memory Tip

Think of 榫 (sǔn) as a 'sun' shining down on two pieces of wood that fit together perfectly, like puzzle pieces. The radical 木 (wood) in 榫 hints at its connection to carpentry, while the sound 'sǔn' can remind you of 'sun' which helps illuminate the beautiful craft of woodworking.

Meanings of 榫

sǔn(sun3)
1mortise and tenon; to fit into
2tenon (cabinetmaking)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 榫

Simplified
14Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 榫

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AI Study Notes for 榫

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 榫 (sǔn) as a 'sun' shining down on two pieces of wood that fit together perfectly, like puzzle pieces. The radical 木 (wood) in 榫 hints at its connection to carpentry, while the sound 'sǔn' can remind you of 'sun' which helps illuminate the beautiful craft of woodworking.

Usage Notes

When using 榫, it's important to distinguish it from similar terms related to woodworking. Be mindful of its specific application in carpentry contexts, as using it in general discussions about fitting or joining may lead to confusion. This term is more formal and technical, often appearing in specialized discussions about traditional crafts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 榫 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with other woodworking-related terms like 木 (wood) and 工 (work). Students should focus on pronunciation and the context of usage in traditional crafts to fully understand its significance.

Cultural Note

榫 is a key element of traditional Chinese architecture and furniture making, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations. It reflects the Chinese value placed on harmony and balance in design, as well as the emphasis on durability and functionality in home furnishings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 榫 with other woodworking terms like 插 (chā, to insert) or 连接 (liánjiē, to connect). Remember that 榫 specifically refers to the mortise and tenon joint, which is a distinct technique in carpentry.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 榫

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Etymology of 榫

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

wood

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 榫?

Decomposition of 榫

IDS Structure⿰木隼
Full Character
=
Mu4
left
sun3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 榫?

Write 榫

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

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Grammar Patterns of 榫

榫 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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 1

Complete the Sentence

你分组件买这个书橱,再把它们卡____对准组合在一起.

You buy this bookcase in sections and slot them together.

Example Sentences for 榫 (1)

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1
你分组件买这个书橱,再把它们卡榫对准组合在一起.

nǐ fēn zǔ jiàn mǎi zhè gè shū chú, , zài bǎ tā mén kǎ sǔn duì zhǔn zǔ hé zài yī.

You buy this bookcase in sections and slot them together.

Cultural Notes for 榫

🏮Cultural insight

榫 is a key element of traditional Chinese architecture and furniture making, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations. It reflects the Chinese value placed on harmony and balance in design, as well as the emphasis on durability and functionality in home furnishings.

Word Family of 榫

Words Containing This Character3
sǔntenon (cabinetmaking)
榫头tenon (wooden projection to fit into a mortise)榫頭
榫眼mortise (slot cut into wood to receive a tenon)
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 榫 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 榫

榫 refers to a mortise and tenon joint, a method used to join two pieces of wood together securely.