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March 24, 2026
歛hān(han1)
The character 歛 (hān) primarily means to fold back or draw back, often used in contexts relating to collecting or gathering. It can also imply desire or intent to give, encompassing both physical and abstract nuances in its usage.
Strokes17Radical欠Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 'drawing back' can relate to humility and restraint, often reflected in Confucian values of moderation and self-control.
Memory Tip
Imagine a folding fan that you draw back when it's not in use. The character's top part resembles a hand reaching out (the 'hand' radical), suggesting the action of gathering or collecting, while the bottom part hints at the motion of folding back.
Meanings of 歛
hān(han1)
primary
1to fold back, to draw back; to collect
2to desire
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About 歛
歛Simplified
17Strokes
欠Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 歛
Podcast: 歛
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AI Study Notes for 歛
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a folding fan that you draw back when it's not in use. The character's top part resembles a hand reaching out (the 'hand' radical), suggesting the action of gathering or collecting, while the bottom part hints at the motion of folding back.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 歛 with its variant forms, such as 斂 (liǎn), so it's essential to remember its unique pronunciation and meaning. It's generally used in more formal contexts, especially in literary texts, and should be avoided in casual conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 歛 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding its components and similar characters can aid in mastering related terms at your level. Focus on the phonetic similarities with 斂 and practice differentiating their meanings in context.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 'drawing back' can relate to humility and restraint, often reflected in Confucian values of moderation and self-control.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 歛 in place of 斂 due to their similar meanings; for example, saying '我想要把钱歛起来' (I want to collect money) instead of '我想要把钱斂起来.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 歛
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Cultural Notes for 歛
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 'drawing back' can relate to humility and restraint, often reflected in Confucian values of moderation and self-control.
Word Family of 歛
Words Containing This Character1
歛hānto desire
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 歛 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 歛
It is pronounced as hān, with a flat tone.
It's more suited for formal or literary contexts, so it's better to use simpler words in casual conversation.
A close synonym is 斂 (liǎn), which can also mean to collect or gather.
