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絢 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
xuànvariegated, adorned; brilliantx, 12 strokes, radical 糹, Very Hard
xuàn(xuan4) T4
  1. 1variegated, adorned; brilliant
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March 24, 2026

xuàn(xuan4)

The character 絢 (xuàn) conveys the meaning of something that is variegated or adorned, often used to describe brilliant colors or patterns. It can also imply splendor or magnificence, commonly appearing in contexts related to art and fashion, where vividness and decoration are highlighted.

Strokes12RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, vibrant colors often symbolize good fortune and prosperity, making the concept of brilliance and adornment crucial in celebrations such as the Lunar New Year, where decorations are abundant.

Memory Tip

Imagine a dazzling peacock (whose feathers are variegated) strutting in a beautiful garden, showcasing its brilliant colors. The 'xuàn' sounds like 'swan,' and you can picture a swan adorned with a colorful crown, emphasizing beauty and splendor.

Meanings of 絢

xuàn(xuan4)
1variegated, adorned; brilliant
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 絢

Simplified
12Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 絢

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AI Study Notes for 絢

Quick Contrast

絢 (xuàn) vs 繽 (bīn) — use 絢 when emphasizing brilliance or splendor, while 繽 focuses more on the variety or diversity of colors.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a dazzling peacock (whose feathers are variegated) strutting in a beautiful garden, showcasing its brilliant colors. The 'xuàn' sounds like 'swan,' and you can picture a swan adorned with a colorful crown, emphasizing beauty and splendor.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse this character with similar-sounding ones, as its usage is more specific to vibrant colors and patterns. It is more commonly used in artistic or decorative contexts, so it may not be suitable for everyday conversation. Common collocations include '絢麗' (xuànlì), meaning 'gorgeous' or 'brilliant.'

HSK Study Tips

Though not included in the HSK, understanding 絢 can enhance your vocabulary related to aesthetics and beauty, which is useful for HSK 4 and above. Focus on its use in artistic expressions and descriptions of nature to deepen your understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, vibrant colors often symbolize good fortune and prosperity, making the concept of brilliance and adornment crucial in celebrations such as the Lunar New Year, where decorations are abundant.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 絢 as 'xuān,' which changes the meaning. It's important to remember that the correct tone is 'xuàn.' Additionally, some might use it inappropriately in contexts where simpler adjectives would suffice, such as saying '絢' for everyday color descriptions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 絢

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Etymology of 絢

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

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 旬 represents the sound. Simplified form of 絢.

Memory Hint

silk

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 絢?

Decomposition of 絢

IDS Structure⿰糹旬
Full Character
=
si1
left
xun2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 絢?

Write 絢

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

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Cultural Notes for 絢

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, vibrant colors often symbolize good fortune and prosperity, making the concept of brilliance and adornment crucial in celebrations such as the Lunar New Year, where decorations are abundant.

Word Family of 絢

Words Containing This Character4
绚丽gorgeous絢麗
绚烂splendid絢爛
xuànadorned
绚丽多彩gorgeous絢麗多彩
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 绚丽 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 絢

Common phrases include '絢麗多彩' (xuànlì duōcǎi), meaning 'colorful and splendid,' used to describe a visually stunning scene.