unknown, 14 strokes, radical 虫, rank #24011, Very Hard
蜷
quán
to huddle
unknown, 14 strokes, radical 虫, rank #24011, Very Hard
蜷
quán
Melania libertina
unknown, 14 strokes, radical 虫, rank #24011, Very Hard
蜷
quán
wriggle (as a worm)
unknown, 14 strokes, radical 虫, rank #24011, Very Hard
quán(quan2) T2
1to curl one's body; to wriggle like a worm
2to curl up (like a scroll)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
蜷quán(quan2)
The character 蜷 (quán) refers to the action of curling or wriggling, often used to describe how a body might curl up for comfort or when trying to fit into a smaller space. It can evoke imagery of animals coiling up, such as a worm or a curled-up scroll, and is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts.
Strokes14Radical虫Frequency#24011DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Curling up or huddling together is often associated with comfort and safety in Chinese culture, especially during cold weather, where people might physically huddle together for warmth. This concept is reflected in traditional practices of gathering together during festivals.
Memory Tip
Think of a worm (虫) curling up (蜷) to protect itself. The character has the insect radical (虫) indicating its connection to wriggling creatures, and you can imagine a worm making a cozy curl to hide from danger, making it easier to remember both the form and pronunciation.
Meanings of 蜷
quán(quan2)
1to curl one's body; to wriggle like a worm
2to curl up (like a scroll)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 蜷
蜷Simplified
14Strokes
虫Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蜷
Podcast: 蜷
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 蜷
Quick Contrast
蜷 (quán) vs 卷 (juǎn) — use 蜷 for curling up tightly, often for comfort, while 卷 refers to rolling or coiling without the same connotation of snugness.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of a worm (虫) curling up (蜷) to protect itself. The character has the insect radical (虫) indicating its connection to wriggling creatures, and you can imagine a worm making a cozy curl to hide from danger, making it easier to remember both the form and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
蜷 is more commonly used in descriptive contexts and can sometimes be seen in literary writing. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with other similar-sounding words; it is important to remember the tone (2nd tone) to avoid miscommunication. Common collocations include 蜷缩 (curl up) and 蜷伏 (to huddle).
HSK Study Tips
Although 蜷 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with words related to movement and position, such as 卧 (to lie down) and 躲 (to hide). Students should focus on the imagery it evokes to help remember its meaning, especially in descriptive writing.
Cultural Note
Curling up or huddling together is often associated with comfort and safety in Chinese culture, especially during cold weather, where people might physically huddle together for warmth. This concept is reflected in traditional practices of gathering together during festivals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 蜷 in contexts that suggest rigidity rather than flexibility, such as saying 蜷硬 (curl hard) instead of understanding it implies a soft, flexible curl. Correct usage would be 蜷缩 (to curl up) which conveys the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蜷
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 蜷 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 蜷 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 蜷
蜷 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
我努力保持____曲的姿势以免四肢受伤。
I tried to adopt a curled-up position to avoid damaging my limbs.
Example Sentences for 蜷 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我努力保持蜷曲的姿势以免四肢受伤。
wǒ nǔ lì bǎo chí quán qū de zī shì yǐ miǎn sì zhī shòu shāng。
I tried to adopt a curled-up position to avoid damaging my limbs.
2
他还像一头困兽一样蜷缩着坐在那儿。
tā huán xiàng yī tóu kùn shòu yī yàng quán suō zháo zuò zài nà ér。
He was still sitting huddled like a cornered animal.
3
那只小猫在沙发垫子上蜷缩成了一团。
nà zhī xiǎo māo zài shā fā diàn zǐ shàng quán suō chéng le yī tuán。
Carla, curled up on the sofa, was smoking a cigarette and stroking her cat.
9
他的腿蜷缩在身下，就像胎儿的姿势一样。
tā de tuǐ quán suō zài shēn xià， ， jiù xiàng tāi ér de zī shì yī。
His legs were curled beneath him in a foetal position.
10
她像胎儿一样蜷曲地躺着。
tā xiàng tāi ér yī yàng quán qū dì tǎng zháo。
She lay curled up in a foetal position .
Cultural Notes for 蜷
🏮Cultural insight
Curling up or huddling together is often associated with comfort and safety in Chinese culture, especially during cold weather, where people might physically huddle together for warmth. This concept is reflected in traditional practices of gathering together during festivals.
Word Family of 蜷
Words Containing This Character5
蜷缩to curl up蜷縮
蜷quánto huddle
蜷曲twisted
蜷伏to curl up
蜷卧to curl up蜷臥
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蜷缩 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蜷
You might say, '他蜷缩在沙发上' (He curled up on the sofa) to describe someone getting comfortable.
It is more common in literary or descriptive contexts rather than in everyday conversation.
The correct tone is the second tone (quán), so be careful not to confuse it with similarly pronounced words.
