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筋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
筋jīnmuscleHSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #10088, Hard
筋jīntendonHSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #10088, Hard
筋jīnmuscles; tendonsHSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #10088, Hard
jīn(jin1) T1
  1. 1muscle
  2. 2tendon
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

筋jīn(jin1)

The character 筋 (jīn) refers to 'muscle' or 'tendon' in Chinese. It is commonly used to describe the connective tissues that facilitate movement in the body and can also imply strength or physical capability in various contexts. It is often used in both medical and fitness-related discussions.

Strokes12Radical⺮Frequency#10088DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the condition of one's 筋 (muscles and tendons) is believed to reflect overall health, and there are specific exercises and therapies aimed at strengthening them, such as Tai Chi.

Memory Tip

Imagine a strong muscle stringing a bow, where 筋 (jīn) is the string that helps propel an arrow. The character has the radical for 'bamboo' (竹) on the left, symbolizing flexibility and strength, while the right side suggests movement and function.

Meanings of 筋

jīn(jin1)
1muscle
2tendon
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 筋

筋Simplified
12Strokes
⺮Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#10088Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 筋

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Podcast: 筋

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AI Study Notes for 筋

Quick Contrast

肌 (jī) refers specifically to 'muscle' tissue, while 筋 (jīn) encompasses 'tendon' and connective tissues; use 筋 when discussing tendons or connective structures.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a strong muscle stringing a bow, where 筋 (jīn) is the string that helps propel an arrow. The character has the radical for 'bamboo' (竹) on the left, symbolizing flexibility and strength, while the right side suggests movement and function.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use 筋, as it can refer specifically to physical muscles or tendons in a medical context, or more generally to strength in a metaphorical sense. Avoid confusing it with other similar-sounding words, especially in tonal pronunciation.

HSK Study Tips

Though not officially part of the HSK vocabulary list, 筋 may appear in advanced discussions about health or fitness. Students should connect it with related vocabulary, such as 肌肉 (jīròu, muscle) and 脉 (mài, pulse), to build a more comprehensive understanding of bodily terms.

Cultural Note

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the condition of one's 筋 (muscles and tendons) is believed to reflect overall health, and there are specific exercises and therapies aimed at strengthening them, such as Tai Chi.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 筋 with 斤 (jīn, weight unit) due to their similar pronunciation. Remember that 筋 refers to muscles and tendons, while 斤 relates to measurement.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 筋

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Etymology of 筋

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

Bamboo-like ⺮ tendons in the chest 肋

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 筋?

Decomposition of 筋

IDS Structure⿱⺮肋
筋Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
肋le1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 筋?

Write 筋

筋

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

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Grammar Patterns of 筋

筋 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 4

Complete the Sentence

他朝他的兄弟吼叫，脖子上青____暴突。

He shouted at his brother, his neck veins bulging.

Example Sentences for 筋 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他朝他的兄弟吼叫，脖子上青筋暴突。

tā zhāo tā de xiōng dì hǒu jiào， ， bó zǐ shàng qīng jīn bào。

He shouted at his brother, his neck veins bulging.
2
赛前他状态很好，赛后就筋疲力尽了。

sài qián tā zhuàng tài hěn hǎo， ， sài hòu jiù jīn pí lì jìn。

Before the race, he is fine. But afterwards he is worn out.
3
他皮肤下的筋腱像绳索一样暴突出来。

tā pí fū xià de jīn jiàn xiàng shéng suǒ yī yàng bào tū chū lái。

His tendons stood out like rope beneath his skin.
4
她一下子摆出一副筋疲力尽的夸张姿势。

tā yī xià zǐ bǎi chū yī fù jīn pí lì jìn de kuā zhāng zī shì。

She'd flung herself in a pose of melodramatic exhaustion.
5
我确保自己听上去很镇定，但脑筋却飞快地转着。

wǒ què bǎo zì jǐ tīng shàng qù hěn zhèn dìng， ， dàn nǎo jīn què fēi kuài dì zhuǎn。

I made sure I sounded calm but my mind was racing.
6
说闲话的人都是些老脑筋.

shuō xián huà de rén dū shì xiē lǎo nǎo jīn.

Those making the idle talk are all old fogies.
7
所有的门上都有钢筋条加固。

suǒ yǒu de mén shàng dū yǒu gāng jīn tiáo jiā gù。

There are reinforcement bars on all doors.
8
他们教你开动脑筋，摆脱困境。

tā mén jiào nǐ kāi dòng nǎo jīn， ， bǎi tuō kùn。

They teach you to use your head to get out of a tight corner.
9
他开动脑筋,想弄懂这个问题.

tā kāi dòng nǎo jīn, , xiǎng nòng dǒng zhè gè wèn.

His mind reached after an understanding of the problem.
10
对我来说,这节课很伤脑筋.

duì wǒ lái shuō, , zhè jié kè hěn shāng nǎo.

This has been a painful lesson to me.

Cultural Notes for 筋

🏮Cultural insight

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the condition of one's 筋 (muscles and tendons) is believed to reflect overall health, and there are specific exercises and therapies aimed at strengthening them, such as Tai Chi.

Word Family of 筋

Words Containing This Character20
筋jīnmuscle
抽筋cramp
脑筋nǎojīnbrains腦筋
钢筋steel reinforcing bar鋼筋
筋疲力尽spent筋疲力盡
筋骨physique
伤脑筋shāngnǎojīnto be a real headache傷腦筋
动脑筋to think動腦筋
筋斗tumble
橡皮筋rubber band
青筋veins
皮筋rubber band
钢筋水泥reinforced concrete鋼筋水泥
面筋gluten麵筋
伤筋动骨to suffer serious injury (idiom)傷筋動骨
筋脉veins筋脈
拉筋stretching (exercise)
配筋rebar (construction)
跳皮筋to play rubber band jump rope
翻筋斗to tumble
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 筋 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 筋

You can say '他的筋很强' (tā de jīn hěn qiáng), which means 'His muscles are strong.'