unknown, 9 strokes, radical 毛, rank #31421, Very Hard
zhān(zhan1) T1
1felt; rug, carpet
2felt (fabric)
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March 24, 2026
毡(氈)zhān(zhan1)
The character 毡 (zhān) refers to felt, a type of fabric made from fibers that are compressed together. It is commonly used for making rugs, carpets, and other items where a soft, durable material is needed. In Chinese culture, felt items can often be found in traditional crafts and warm clothing.
Strokes9Radical毛Frequency#31421DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Felt has a unique place in traditional Chinese crafts, especially in regions known for textile production, such as Inner Mongolia, where felt is used in yurts and traditional clothing.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cozy room where a soft felt rug (zhān) lies on the floor. The character 毡 looks like a fluffy cloud, reminding you of the soft texture of felt. The 'zh' sound can be associated with 'gentle', as in the gentle touch of felt.
Meanings of 毡
zhān(zhan1)
1felt; rug, carpet
2felt (fabric)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 毡
毡Simplified
氈Traditional
9Strokes
毛Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 毡
Podcast: 毡
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AI Study Notes for 毡
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cozy room where a soft felt rug (zhān) lies on the floor. The character 毡 looks like a fluffy cloud, reminding you of the soft texture of felt. The 'zh' sound can be associated with 'gentle', as in the gentle touch of felt.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 毡 with similar-sounding words that refer to other fabrics. This word is more often used in informal contexts, but can also appear in discussions about textiles in more formal settings. Be careful with the fourth tone; mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
While 毡 is not included in the HSK levels, it can be linked to other fabric-related vocabulary at this level, such as 布 (bù, cloth) and 织 (zhī, to weave). Students should focus on the tones and the context in which fabric-related vocabulary is used.
Cultural Note
Felt has a unique place in traditional Chinese crafts, especially in regions known for textile production, such as Inner Mongolia, where felt is used in yurts and traditional clothing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 毡 with the character 斑 (bān), which means 'spot' or 'splotch'. To correct this, remember that 毡 relates specifically to fabric, while 斑 does not.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 毡
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Grammar Patterns of 毡
毡 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 4
Complete the Sentence
用黑色____头笔画出基本轮廓（见图4）。
Draw the basic outlines in black felt-tip pen (see fig. 4).
Use different colours of felt pen on your sketch to avoid confusion.
5
油地毡卷角了。
yóu dì zhān juàn jiǎo le。
The corners of the lino were curling up.
6
她们行完礼, 瑞珏 又牵了 海臣 到红毡上去叩头.
tā mén háng wán lǐ, , ruì jué yòu qiān le hǎi chén dào hóng zhān.
Jui - chueh then brought forward her little son Hai - chen, to pay his respects.
Cultural Notes for 毡
🏮Cultural insight
Felt has a unique place in traditional Chinese crafts, especially in regions known for textile production, such as Inner Mongolia, where felt is used in yurts and traditional clothing.
Word Family of 毡
Words Containing This Character5
毡zhānfelt (fabric)氈
如坐针毡lit. as if sitting on pins and needles如坐針氈
毛毡felt毛氈
毡子felt (fabric)氈子
针毡(on) pins and needles針氈
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 毡 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 毡
It is pronounced as 'zhān' with a high falling tone.
It is commonly used for making rugs, carpets, and in traditional crafts.
While it is mostly used informally, it can appear in discussions about textiles in formal settings.
