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March 24, 2026
箭jiàn(jian4)
The character 箭 (jiàn) primarily means 'arrow' and is often used in contexts related to archery or as a metaphor for direction and speed. It can also refer to a type of bamboo used for making arrows. This word is commonly used in both everyday conversation and in literary contexts.
Strokes15Radical⺮Frequency#4820DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, archery has a historical significance, often associated with martial arts and ancient warfare. The character 箭 reflects this legacy, as it symbolizes skill and precision in both physical and metaphorical pursuits.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sharp arrow (箭) flying through the air, its shape resembling the character itself. The left part of the character represents bamboo, the material from which arrows can be made, while the right part evokes the point of the arrow, suggesting speed and precision.
Meanings of 箭
jiàn(jian4)
1arrow
2arrow; a type of bamboo
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 箭
箭Simplified
15Strokes
⺮Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4820Frequency Rank
支Measure Word
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 箭
Podcast: 箭
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AI Study Notes for 箭
Quick Contrast
矢 (shǐ) - use 箭 (jiàn) when specifically referring to an arrow used in archery, while 矢 (shǐ) can refer to an arrow in a more general or historical sense.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 箭 (jiàn) with other similar-sounding words such as 见 (jiàn), which means 'to see.' This word is more often used in formal contexts, especially in literature or discussions about sports. Common collocations include 射箭 (shèjiàn), meaning 'to shoot arrows.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 箭 (jiàn) is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be related to other HSK words that involve movement or direction. Students at this level should focus on recognizing its components and practicing pronunciation to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 箭 (jiàn) with 见 (jiàn), which can lead to misunderstandings. For example, saying '我射见' (wǒ shè jiàn) instead of '我射箭' (wǒ shè jiàn) changes the meaning from 'I shoot arrows' to something nonsensical.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 箭
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Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 前 represents the sound.
1The meaning half⺮ carries the sense.
2The sound half前 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaybamboo
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 箭? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 箭?
Decomposition of 箭
IDS Structure⿱⺮前
箭Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
前qian2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 箭?
How to say arrow in Chinese
“arrow” in Chinese is箭jiàn
The character 箭 (jiàn) primarily means 'arrow' and is often used in contexts related to archery or as a metaphor for direction and speed. It can also refer to a type of bamboo used for making arrows. This word is commonly used in both everyday conversation and in literary contexts.
When to use 箭
Be careful not to confuse 箭 (jiàn) with other similar-sounding words such as 见 (jiàn), which means 'to see.' This word is more often used in formal contexts, especially in literature or discussions about sports. Common collocations include 射箭 (shèjiàn), meaning 'to shoot arrows.'
箭 or something close to it
矢 (shǐ) - use 箭 (jiàn) when specifically referring to an arrow used in archery, while 矢 (shǐ) can refer to an arrow in a more general or historical sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 箭 (jiàn) with 见 (jiàn), which can lead to misunderstandings. For example, saying '我射见' (wǒ shè jiàn) instead of '我射箭' (wǒ shè jiàn) changes the meaning from 'I shoot arrows' to something nonsensical.
Write 箭
箭
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Practice writing 箭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 箭
箭 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.
