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繰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
繰qiāoto spool, to reelx, 19 strokes, radical 糹
qiāo(qiao1) T1
  1. 1to spool, to reel
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

繰qiāo(qiao1)

The character 繰 (qiāo) means 'to spool' or 'to reel,' often used in the context of winding thread or string onto a spool. It can also imply the act of organizing or gathering something in a systematic manner, especially in textile or fishing contexts. This word is less common in everyday language but is relevant in specific industries.

Strokes19Radical糹
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, textile work, including spinning and weaving, has significant historical importance, especially in rural communities. The character 繰 connects to the craftsmanship involved in making clothing and textiles, which were vital in ancient society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a fisherman reeling in a huge catch. The character 繰 looks like a spool of thread with the top part resembling the action of winding. This visual can help you remember that it involves gathering or winding something tightly.

Meanings of 繰

qiāo(qiao1)
1to spool, to reel
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 繰

繰Simplified
19Strokes
糹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 繰

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Podcast: 繰

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AI Study Notes for 繰

Usage Notes

This character is quite technical and might not be used in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-looking characters like 絞 (jiǎo), which means 'to twist' or 'to squeeze.' It's more commonly used in formal or specific contexts related to textiles or fishing.

HSK Study Tips

Since 繰 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, focus on understanding its usage within specialized terminology. Relate it to other textile-related words in your studies, and practice using it in context to enhance retention.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 繰 with 絞 (jiǎo), leading to incorrect usage in contexts involving twisting or squeezing. For example, saying '我在繰衣服' (I am reeling clothes) instead of the correct '我在絞衣服' (I am wringing clothes).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 繰

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Etymology of 繰

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

thread

Semantic (meaning)糹
+
Phonetic (sound)喿
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 繰

  1. 1The meaning half糹 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half喿 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaythread
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 繰? 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 繰?

Decomposition of 繰

IDS Structure⿰糹喿
繰Full Character
=
糹si1
left
喿zao4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 繰?

How to say to spool, to reel in Chinese

“to spool, to reel” in Chinese is繰qiāo

The character 繰 (qiāo) means 'to spool' or 'to reel,' often used in the context of winding thread or string onto a spool. It can also imply the act of organizing or gathering something in a systematic manner, especially in textile or fishing contexts. This word is less common in everyday language but is relevant in specific industries.

When to use 繰

This character is quite technical and might not be used in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-looking characters like 絞 (jiǎo), which means 'to twist' or 'to squeeze.' It's more commonly used in formal or specific contexts related to textiles or fishing.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 繰 with 絞 (jiǎo), leading to incorrect usage in contexts involving twisting or squeezing. For example, saying '我在繰衣服' (I am reeling clothes) instead of the correct '我在絞衣服' (I am wringing clothes).

Write 繰

繰

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 繰

Words Containing This Character1
缲qiāoto reel silk from cocoons繰
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 缲 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 繰

It is pronounced as 'qiāo' with a high-level tone.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 繰?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.