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篆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
篆zhuànseal script; seal, stampHSK 7, ng, 15 strokes, radical ⺮, Very Hard
篆zhuànseal (of office)HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, radical ⺮, Very Hard
篆zhuànseal script (a calligraphic style)HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, radical ⺮, Very Hard
篆zhuànthe small seal 小篆 and great seal 大篆HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, radical ⺮, Very Hard
篆zhuànwriting in seal scriptHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, radical ⺮, Very Hard
zhuàn(zhuan4)zhuan T4
  1. 1seal script; seal, stamp
  2. 2seal (of office)
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March 24, 2026

篆zhuàn(zhuan4)

The character 篆 (zhuàn) refers to a type of ancient Chinese script known as seal script, which is characterized by its intricate and stylized forms. It is commonly used for inscriptions on seals or stamps and represents a significant aspect of Chinese calligraphy and historical documentation.

Strokes15Radical⺮DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

Seal script is not only a writing form but also an art form in Chinese culture, often used in official seals that symbolize authority and authenticity. Many artists and scholars continue to practice this style as a way of connecting with historical traditions.

Memory tip

Imagine a seal (篆) made from a piece of bamboo (竹) and surrounded by intricate carvings. The character's top part resembles a roof, protecting the valuable script beneath, while the bottom part suggests a stamp being pressed down, sealing the document.

Meanings of 篆

zhuàn(zhuan4)
1seal script; seal, stamp
2seal (of office)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 篆

篆Simplified
15Strokes
⺮Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 篆

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AI study notes for 篆

Usage Notes

This character is often used in formal contexts related to calligraphy and historical texts. Be careful not to confuse it with more modern script forms like 楷书 (kǎishū). A common collocation is '篆刻' (zhuànkè), meaning seal carving.

HSK Study Tips

Although 篆 is not included in the HSK levels, understanding it can enhance your appreciation of Chinese writing styles. Focus on related terms and characters like 印 (yìn, meaning 'seal') and 书法 (shūfǎ, meaning 'calligraphy') to deepen your knowledge.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 篆 with other script styles; for example, saying '我喜欢篆书' (wǒ xǐhuan zhuànshū, 'I like seal writing') when they mean 楷书. Remember that 篆 specifically refers to the seal script, not just any writing style.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 篆

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Etymology of 篆

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

bamboo

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

Origin

篆 = ⺮ + 彖. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 篆

IDS Structure⿱⺮彖
篆Full character
=
⺮zhu2
top
彖tuan4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 篆?

How to say seal script; seal, stamp in Chinese

“seal script; seal, stamp” in Chinese is篆zhuàn

The character 篆 (zhuàn) refers to a type of ancient Chinese script known as seal script, which is characterized by its intricate and stylized forms. It is commonly used for inscriptions on seals or stamps and represents a significant aspect of Chinese calligraphy and historical documentation.

When to use 篆

This character is often used in formal contexts related to calligraphy and historical texts. Be careful not to confuse it with more modern script forms like 楷书 (kǎishū). A common collocation is '篆刻' (zhuànkè), meaning seal carving.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 篆 with other script styles; for example, saying '我喜欢篆书' (wǒ xǐhuan zhuànshū, 'I like seal writing') when they mean 楷书. Remember that 篆 specifically refers to the seal script, not just any writing style.

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篆

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Word Family of 篆

Words containing this character7
篆zhuànseal (of office)
篆刻carving a seal
小篆the small or lesser seal, the form of Chinese character standardized by the Qin dynasty
篆书seal script (Chinese calligraphic style)篆書
大篆the great seal
鸟篆bird characters (a decorated form of the Great Seal)鳥篆
雕虫篆刻literary trifles雕蟲篆刻
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 篆

What does 篆刻 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 篆

篆 (zhuàn) is an ancient script with ornate designs, while 楷书 (kǎishū) is a more modern, standardized script used for everyday writing.

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