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March 24, 2026
纖xiān(xian1)
The character 纖 (xiān) refers to something that is fine, delicate, or minute in nature. It is often used to describe thin threads, small details, or subtle qualities in various contexts, such as fabrics, art, and even emotions.
Strokes23Radical糹Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of delicacy is often celebrated in traditional crafts, such as silk weaving, where 纖 denotes the fine threads that make up exquisite fabrics.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tiny, delicate thread (纖) that is so fine it can be easily overlooked. The character resembles a thread being woven, with the top part suggesting delicacy and the bottom part symbolizing the connection of fibers.
Meanings of 纖
xiān(xian1)
1fine, delicate; tiny, minute
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 纖
纖Simplified
23Strokes
糹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 纖
Podcast: 纖
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AI Study Notes for 纖
Quick Contrast
纖 (xiān) vs 細 (xì) — use 纖 for a focus on delicacy or fineness, while 細 emphasizes thinness or minuteness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tiny, delicate thread (纖) that is so fine it can be easily overlooked. The character resembles a thread being woven, with the top part suggesting delicacy and the bottom part symbolizing the connection of fibers.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 纖 with similar-sounding characters like 仙 (xiān), which means 'immortal.' 纖 is more commonly used in literary or poetic contexts. Common collocations include 纖維 (xiānwéi - fiber) and 纖細 (xiānsì - slender).
HSK Study Tips
Although 纖 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is related to words at the HSK 4 level that discuss texture and quality, such as 細 (xì - fine). Focus on recognizing the character in reading contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of delicacy is often celebrated in traditional crafts, such as silk weaving, where 纖 denotes the fine threads that make up exquisite fabrics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 纖 (xiān) with 細 (xì), mistakenly using 細 when they mean delicate. For example, '這件衣服很細' should be '這件衣服很纖細' to convey 'This garment is very delicate.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 纖
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Cultural Notes for 纖
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of delicacy is often celebrated in traditional crafts, such as silk weaving, where 纖 denotes the fine threads that make up exquisite fabrics.
Word Family of 纖
Words Containing This Character20
纤维xiānwéifiber纖維
纤qiànfine纖
光纤optical fiber光纖
纤细fine纖細
化纤huàxiānsynthetic fiber化纖
纤维素cellulose纖維素
纤弱fragile纖弱
纤纤slim纖纖
神经纤维neurofibril神經纖維
合成纤维synthetic fiber合成纖維
肌纤维muscle fiber肌纖維
玻璃纤维fiberglass玻璃纖維
纤夫burlak (barge hauler)縴夫
纤毛cilium纖毛
纤瘦slender纖瘦
纤巧delicate纖巧
纤手delicate hands纖手
人造纤维synthetic fiber人造纖維
化学纤维synthetic fiber化學纖維
原纤维fibril原纖維
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 纤维 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 纖
The correct pronunciation is 'xiān' with a high level tone.
Yes, it can describe a person who is slender or delicate in appearance.
It is more commonly found in written Chinese, especially in literature or poetry, rather than in daily conversation.
