Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
殮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
殮liànto dress a corpse for burialzg, 17 strokes, radical 歹
liàn(lian4)lian T4
  1. 1to dress a corpse for burial
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

殮liàn(lian4)

The character 殮 (liàn) refers to the act of dressing a corpse for burial, a common practice in various cultures to honor the deceased. It signifies respect and care for the dead, often involving specific rituals and garments. This term is typically used in formal or literary contexts, rather than in everyday conversation.

Strokes17Radical歹
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the preparation of a body for burial is steeped in tradition, reflecting Confucian values of filial piety and respect for ancestors. The practice of dressing the dead is often accompanied by rituals that vary by region and ethnic group.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'lián' (pronounced like 'liàn') who carefully dresses a deceased loved one, ensuring they look their best for their final journey. The radical 殳 (shū) relates to actions involving death or the dead, linking it to the concept of preparing someone for burial.

Meanings of 殮

liàn(lian4)
1to dress a corpse for burial
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 殮 means.

About 殮

殮Simplified
17Strokes
歹Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 殮

JasonAmy

Podcast: 殮

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 殮

Usage Notes

Be mindful that using 殮 can be considered sensitive or morbid in casual conversation, so it is best reserved for formal discussions about funerary customs. Common collocations include '殮尸' (liànshī - to dress a corpse) and '殮葬' (liànzàng - burial).

HSK Study Tips

While 殮 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be related to other words about death and funerary practices. At higher levels, students should focus on understanding the cultural significance of such terms and their appropriate contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 殮 with similar-sounding words like 恋 (liàn - love), leading to misunderstandings. Remember that 殮 specifically pertains to death and burial practices, whereas 恋 relates to romantic feelings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 殮

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 殮, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 殮 to you

Let me explain 殮 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 殮 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 殮?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 殮 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 殮

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

corpse

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

Origin

殮 = 歹 + 僉. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 殮

IDS Structure⿰歹僉
殮Full character
=
歹dai3
left
僉qian1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 殮?

How to say to dress a corpse for burial in Chinese

“to dress a corpse for burial” in Chinese is殮liàn

The character 殮 (liàn) refers to the act of dressing a corpse for burial, a common practice in various cultures to honor the deceased. It signifies respect and care for the dead, often involving specific rituals and garments. This term is typically used in formal or literary contexts, rather than in everyday conversation.

When to use 殮

Be mindful that using 殮 can be considered sensitive or morbid in casual conversation, so it is best reserved for formal discussions about funerary customs. Common collocations include '殮尸' (liànshī - to dress a corpse) and '殮葬' (liànzàng - burial).

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 殮 with similar-sounding words like 恋 (liàn - love), leading to misunderstandings. Remember that 殮 specifically pertains to death and burial practices, whereas 恋 relates to romantic feelings.

Write 殮

殮

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 殮?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Word Family of 殮

Words containing this character3
殓liànto prepare a dead body for coffin殮
入殓to put dead body in coffin入殮
殡殓to bury sb殯殮
Exercise 1 of 3

Characters with 殮

What does 殓 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 殮

Dressing a corpse is seen as a final act of respect and love for the deceased, often involving specific rituals and garments to honor their life.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 殮?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab