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汶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
wèna river in Shandong provincens, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #30589, Very Hard
wènWen River in northwest Sichuan (same as 汶川)unknown, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #30589, Very Hard
wènclassical name of river in Shandong, used to refer to Qi 齊國|齐国unknown, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #30589, Very Hard
wèn(Wen4) T4
  1. 1a river in Shandong province
  2. 2Wen River in northwest Sichuan (same as 汶川)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
wèn(Wen4)

The character 汶 (wèn) primarily refers to specific rivers in China, notably the Wen River located in Shandong province and the Wen River in Sichuan, famously associated with the 2008 earthquake. It can also serve as a classical reference to rivers in historical texts, particularly in relation to the Qi State (齐国). The term is often used in geographical contexts and discussions about Chinese history.

Strokes7RadicalFrequency#30589DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The Wen River is historically significant, especially in the context of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which devastated the region and brought international attention to the area. Understanding this river's importance can deepen appreciation for contemporary Chinese geography and disaster response.

Memory Tip

Imagine the flowing river (水) that represents 汶, winding through the lush landscapes of Shandong. Picture a 'Wen' (wèn) signpost along the riverbank, guiding travelers to its serene waters. The '汶' character looks like water (氵) and a 'wen' sign, connecting both the sound and meaning.

Meanings of 汶

wèn(Wen4)
1a river in Shandong province
2Wen River in northwest Sichuan (same as 汶川)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 汶

Simplified
7Strokes
Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 汶

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AI Study Notes for 汶

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine the flowing river (水) that represents 汶, winding through the lush landscapes of Shandong. Picture a 'Wen' (wèn) signpost along the riverbank, guiding travelers to its serene waters. The '汶' character looks like water (氵) and a 'wen' sign, connecting both the sound and meaning.

Usage Notes

When using 汶, ensure it's clear you're discussing geographical features, as it may be confused with other river names. This term is mostly used in formal or literary contexts rather than everyday conversation. Be cautious with tone; 'wèn' should be pronounced with a falling tone to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 汶 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be beneficial for learners at higher levels interested in geography or literature. Focus on recognizing the character's structure and its components, particularly the water radical, as it connects to many other water-related terms.

Cultural Note

The Wen River is historically significant, especially in the context of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which devastated the region and brought international attention to the area. Understanding this river's importance can deepen appreciation for contemporary Chinese geography and disaster response.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 汶 with other river names due to similar pronunciations. For example, saying 'wen' with a rising tone instead of a falling tone can lead to misunderstandings, so be sure to use the correct tone.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 汶

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Etymology of 汶

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

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 文 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

water

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 汶?

Decomposition of 汶

IDS Structure⿰氵文
Full Character
=
shui3
left
Wen2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 汶?

Write 汶

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 汶

汶 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 3 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 3

Complete the Sentence

在访问东帝____期间,教皇约翰·保罗受到了热烈的欢迎。

Pope John Paul received a rapturous reception when he visited East Timor.

Example Sentences for 汶 (3)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
在访问东帝汶期间,教皇约翰·保罗受到了热烈的欢迎。

zài fǎng wèn dōng dì wèn qī jiān, , jiào huáng yuē· hàn · bǎo luó shòu dào le rè liè de。

Pope John Paul received a rapturous reception when he visited East Timor.
2
表面上, 他的任职为东帝汶带来了稳定.

biǎo miàn shàng, , tā de rèn zhí wéi dōng dì wèn dài lái le wěn.

On the surface, it has succeeded in bringing stability.
3
国际维和部队正在东帝汶试图重新恢复该地区秩序.

guó jì wéi hé bù duì zhèng zài dōng dì wèn shì tú zhòng xīn huī fù gāi dì qū zhì xù.

International peacekeepers are trying to restore order in East Timor.

Cultural Notes for 汶

🏮Cultural insight

The Wen River is historically significant, especially in the context of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which devastated the region and brought international attention to the area. Understanding this river's importance can deepen appreciation for contemporary Chinese geography and disaster response.

Word Family of 汶

Words Containing This Character9
wènWen River in northwest Sichuan (same as 汶川)
东帝汶East Timor (officially Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste)東帝汶
汶川Wenchuan county (Tibetan: wun khron rdzong) in Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture 阿壩藏族羌族自治州|阿坝藏族羌族自治州[A​bà​Zàng​zú​Qiāng​zú​zì​zhì​zhōu], northwest Sichuan
汶川县Wenchuan county (Tibetan: wun khron rdzong) in Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture 阿壩藏族羌族自治州|阿坝藏族羌族自治州[A​bà​Zàng​zú​Qiāng​zú​zì​zhì​zhōu], northwest Sichuan汶川縣
汶上Wenshang County in Jining 濟寧|济宁[Jǐ​níng], Shandong
汶上县Wenshang County in Jining 濟寧|济宁[Jǐ​níng], Shandong汶上縣
帝汶岛Timor island帝汶島
鲁汶Leuven (a town in Belgium famous for its university)魯汶
茂汶县Maowen county in Sichuan, home of the Qiang people 羗族|羌族茂汶縣
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 汶 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 汶

In modern contexts, 汶 typically refers to specific rivers in China, particularly in Shandong and Sichuan.