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苋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
苋xiànamaranthn, 7 strokes, radical 艹, rank #72111, Very Hard
苋xiànamaranth (genus Amaranthus)unknown, 7 strokes, radical 艹, rank #72111, Very Hard
苋xiànJoseph's coat (Amaranthus tricolor)unknown, 7 strokes, radical 艹, rank #72111, Very Hard
苋xiànChinese spinach (Amaranth mangostanus)unknown, 7 strokes, radical 艹, rank #72111, Very Hard
xiàn(xian4)xian T4
  1. 1amaranth
  2. 2amaranth (genus Amaranthus)
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March 24, 2026

苋(莧)xiàn(xian4)

The character 苋 (xiàn) refers to a type of leafy vegetable, commonly known as amaranth. It is used in various culinary dishes and is appreciated for its nutritional value and vibrant colors, particularly in Chinese cuisine. This term may also refer to different species within the Amaranthus genus.

Strokes7Radical艹Frequency#72111DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, amaranth is valued not only for its taste but also for its health benefits, often being used in traditional dishes during festivals and celebrations. It represents vitality and is sometimes linked to good luck.

Memory tip

Think of the character 苋 as a plant growing with lush green leaves. The left part of the character (艹) resembles grass or plants, while the right part (冉) can remind you of how the plant spreads softly. Imagine a garden filled with colorful amaranth, thriving and healthy, which sounds like 'xiàn'.

Meanings of 苋

xiàn(xian4)
1amaranth
2amaranth (genus Amaranthus)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 苋

苋Simplified
莧Traditional
7Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 苋

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Podcast: 苋

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AI Study Notes for 苋

Quick Contrast

苋 (xiàn) vs 菠菜 (bōcài) — pick 苋 when referring specifically to amaranth, as opposed to 菠菜 which denotes spinach.

Usage Notes

When using 苋, it's common to combine it with other words related to food, such as 苋菜 (xiàncài) meaning 'amaranth vegetable'. Be careful with the pronunciation; the tone is important, as a mispronunciation could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words. Generally, this word is used in both informal and formal contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 苋 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 3 words related to food and vegetables. Students should focus on recognizing its pronunciation and usage in culinary contexts, as it enriches vocabulary related to healthy eating.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 苋 with similar-sounding characters. For instance, saying 'xiàn' instead of 'xiān' can lead to misunderstanding. It's essential to practice the correct tone to ensure clarity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 苋

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Etymology of 苋

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

Simplified form of 莧. Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 見 represents the sound.

Memory hint

plant

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

Origin

苋 = 艹 + 见. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 苋

IDS Structure⿱艹见
苋Full character
=
艹cao3
top
见jian4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 苋?

How to say amaranth in Chinese

“amaranth” in Chinese is苋xiàn

The character 苋 (xiàn) refers to a type of leafy vegetable, commonly known as amaranth. It is used in various culinary dishes and is appreciated for its nutritional value and vibrant colors, particularly in Chinese cuisine. This term may also refer to different species within the Amaranthus genus.

When to use 苋

When using 苋, it's common to combine it with other words related to food, such as 苋菜 (xiàncài) meaning 'amaranth vegetable'. Be careful with the pronunciation; the tone is important, as a mispronunciation could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words. Generally, this word is used in both informal and formal contexts.

苋 or something close to it

苋 (xiàn) vs 菠菜 (bōcài) — pick 苋 when referring specifically to amaranth, as opposed to 菠菜 which denotes spinach.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 苋 with similar-sounding characters. For instance, saying 'xiàn' instead of 'xiān' can lead to misunderstanding. It's essential to practice the correct tone to ensure clarity.

Write 苋

苋

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

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Word Family of 苋

Words containing this character3
苋xiànamaranth (genus Amaranthus)莧
苋菜amaranth greens (genus Amaranthus)莧菜
马齿苋Portulaca oleracea (common purslane)馬齒莧
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 苋

What does 苋菜 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 苋

苋 has a slightly earthy flavor with a hint of sweetness, making it versatile in cooking.

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