Meanings of 缓
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About 缓
Podcast: 缓
Podcast: 缓
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AI Study Notes for 缓
缓 (huǎn) vs 迟 (chí) — use 缓 when emphasizing a relaxed pace, while 迟 focuses more on being late or delayed.
Common mistakes include confusing 缓 with other similar-sounding characters like 还 (hái, still) or 乱 (luàn, chaotic). This word is more formal and is often found in written contexts, such as in academic or professional discussions about processes that need to be done slowly or postponed.
Although 缓 is not in HSK levels 1-6, it connects well with words about time and speed, such as 快 (kuài, fast) and 迟 (chí, late). Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe pace or the timing of events.
Learners often confuse 缓 with 快 (kuài, fast), mistakenly saying '我想缓去' (Wǒ xiǎng huǎn qù, I want to go slowly), when they mean '快去' (kuài qù, go quickly). It's important to use it in the right context to convey the intended meaning.
Pronunciation of 缓
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Jason Explains 缓 to You
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Learning Lab
Knowing 缓 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 缓
Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 爰 represents the sound. Simplified form of 緩.
thread
Origin
缓 = 纟 + 爰. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 缓
Parts
Which of these is part of 缓?
How to say slow in Chinese
“slow” in Chinese is缓
The character 缓 (huǎn) primarily means 'slow' or 'unhurried.' It is often used in contexts where something is done gradually or with a relaxed pace, such as recovering from illness or postponing a task. The nuance of this word conveys a sense of ease or lack of urgency.
When to use 缓
Common mistakes include confusing 缓 with other similar-sounding characters like 还 (hái, still) or 乱 (luàn, chaotic). This word is more formal and is often found in written contexts, such as in academic or professional discussions about processes that need to be done slowly or postponed.
缓 or something close to it
缓 (huǎn) vs 迟 (chí) — use 缓 when emphasizing a relaxed pace, while 迟 focuses more on being late or delayed.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 缓 with 快 (kuài, fast), mistakenly saying '我想缓去' (Wǒ xiǎng huǎn qù, I want to go slowly), when they mean '快去' (kuài qù, go quickly). It's important to use it in the right context to convey the intended meaning.
Write 缓
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Practice writing 缓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 缓
缓 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 13 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
一旦地铁建成，堵车的情况就可大大____解。
Once the subway is completed, the traffic congestion can be greatly alleviated.
Common Confusions with 缓
Both characters share the '环' radical but differ in meaning and pronunciation.
Which one
Which one means “slow”?
Example Sentences for 缓 (10)
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Word Family of 缓
Words with 缓
What does 缓解 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 缓
You might say, '我们需要缓解这个问题' (Wǒmen xūyào huǎnjiě zhège wèntí), meaning 'We need to alleviate this problem.'
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