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菅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
菅jiāncoarse grass; Themedia forskalinr, 11 strokes, radical 艹, rank #97276, Very Hard
菅jiān(grass)unknown, 11 strokes, radical 艹, rank #97276, Very Hard
菅jiānThemeda forsbaliunknown, 11 strokes, radical 艹, rank #97276, Very Hard
jiān(jian1) T1
  1. 1coarse grass; Themedia forskali
  2. 2(grass)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

菅jiān(jian1)

The character 菅 (jiān) refers to a type of coarse grass, particularly associated with the genus Themeda, which is commonly found in temperate regions. It can also relate to the use of this grass in various cultural contexts, such as traditional crafts or landscaping. In botanical discussions, it denotes specific species of grass that have practical uses in agriculture and ecology.

Strokes11Radical艹Frequency#97276DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In some regions of China, 菅 (jiān) is used in traditional weaving practices, where the grass is harvested to create mats and baskets. This reflects the deep connection between local flora and traditional crafts in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tall, coarse grass swaying in the wind, representing 菅 (jiān). The character has the radical for 'grass' (艹) at the top, which hints at its meaning. You can think of 'jiān' as 'grass that stands tall' - visualize this grass as a sturdy plant that grows in fields.

Meanings of 菅

jiān(jian1)
1coarse grass; Themedia forskali
2(grass)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 菅

菅Simplified
11Strokes
艹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 菅

JasonAmy

Podcast: 菅

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AI Study Notes for 菅

Usage Notes

When using 菅 (jiān), be mindful that it is usually employed in more technical or academic contexts related to botany. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding characters; ensure you recognize its specific meaning. This term is more formal and might not appear in casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Though 菅 (jiān) is not included in HSK lists, it relates to other vocabulary about plants and nature, which are useful for learners at higher levels. Focus on learning related terms in botany or ecology to enhance your vocabulary in this area.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 菅 (jiān) with similar characters related to different types of grass. For example, mixing it up with 草 (cǎo) which simply means 'grass' is common; remember that 菅 refers specifically to coarse grass.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 菅

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Etymology of 菅

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

grass

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 菅

  1. 1The meaning half艹 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half官 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaygrass
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 菅? 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 菅?

Decomposition of 菅

IDS Structure⿱艹官
菅Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
官Guan1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 菅?

How to say coarse grass; Themedia forskali in Chinese

“coarse grass; Themedia forskali” in Chinese is菅jiān

The character 菅 (jiān) refers to a type of coarse grass, particularly associated with the genus Themeda, which is commonly found in temperate regions. It can also relate to the use of this grass in various cultural contexts, such as traditional crafts or landscaping. In botanical discussions, it denotes specific species of grass that have practical uses in agriculture and ecology.

When to use 菅

When using 菅 (jiān), be mindful that it is usually employed in more technical or academic contexts related to botany. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding characters; ensure you recognize its specific meaning. This term is more formal and might not appear in casual conversation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 菅 (jiān) with similar characters related to different types of grass. For example, mixing it up with 草 (cǎo) which simply means 'grass' is common; remember that 菅 refers specifically to coarse grass.

Write 菅

菅

Practice writing 菅 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 菅

Words Containing This Character3
草菅人命human life as grass (idiom); to kill people like scything grass
菅jiān(grass)
菅原Sugawara (Japanese surname)
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 草菅人命 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 菅

菅 primarily refers to a type of coarse grass used in various ecological and agricultural contexts.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 菅?

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.