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March 24, 2026
莧xiàn(xian4)
The character 莧 (xiàn) refers to amaranth, a type of plant that is often used in cooking and is known for its nutritional value. It is commonly found in various Asian cuisines and symbolizes resilience and immortality due to its robust nature. This character is less frequently used in everyday conversation but may appear in discussions about food or gardening.
Strokes11Radical艹Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Amaranth has been cultivated in China for centuries and is appreciated for its health benefits and culinary versatility. It is often featured in traditional dishes and is associated with seasonal eating.
Memory Tip
Think of 莧 as a plant with a crown of leaves (the radical 艹 represents plants). Imagine an amaranth plant standing tall, symbolizing strength and longevity, which can help you remember the pronunciation 'xiàn' as it sounds like 'stand' in English.
Meanings of 莧
xiàn(xian4)
1amaranth
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About 莧
莧Simplified
11Strokes
艹Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 莧
Podcast: 莧
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AI Study Notes for 莧
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 莧 as a plant with a crown of leaves (the radical 艹 represents plants). Imagine an amaranth plant standing tall, symbolizing strength and longevity, which can help you remember the pronunciation 'xiàn' as it sounds like 'stand' in English.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 莧 with similar plant-related characters. It is generally used in more formal or academic contexts when discussing botany or nutrition. Be cautious with tone, as a mispronunciation can lead to misunderstandings in meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 莧 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other food-related terms that may appear in HSK 3 and above. Students should focus on recognizing plant-related characters and their contexts, as well as their pronunciation.
Cultural Note
Amaranth has been cultivated in China for centuries and is appreciated for its health benefits and culinary versatility. It is often featured in traditional dishes and is associated with seasonal eating.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 莧 with other similar looking characters, such as 菜 (cài, vegetable) or 蔬 (shū, vegetable). Always double-check the context to ensure you're using the correct term.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 莧
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Cultural Notes for 莧
🏮Cultural insight
Amaranth has been cultivated in China for centuries and is appreciated for its health benefits and culinary versatility. It is often featured in traditional dishes and is associated with seasonal eating.
Word Family of 莧
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
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Compound Meaning
What does 苋 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 莧
Amaranth can be used in salads, soups, and as a substitute for rice or grains due to its nutritional density.
The pronunciation is 'xiàn', with a falling tone. Make sure to emphasize the tone to avoid confusion with other characters.
No, it is more commonly found in written contexts related to food or botany rather than in everyday speech.
