Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
锦(錦)jǐn(jin3)
The character 锦 (jǐn) primarily refers to a type of luxurious fabric, often intricately woven or embroidered, typically used for decorative purposes in clothing or art. It connotes brightness and richness, symbolizing beauty and splendor, and is often associated with traditional Chinese textiles and cultural heritage.
Strokes13Radical钅Frequency#20849DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
锦 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, often symbolizing wealth and prosperity. In traditional Chinese weddings, for instance, brides may wear garments made of 锦, reflecting the importance of textile artistry in cultural celebrations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright, shimmering brocade fabric (锦) that wraps around a beautiful golden dragon. The character's top part resembles a 'gold' radical (金), indicating its precious nature, while the bottom suggests intricate patterns, reminding you of embroidery.
Meanings of 锦
jǐn(jin3)
1brocade
2embroidered work
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 锦 means.
About 锦
锦Simplified
錦Traditional
13Strokes
钅Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#20849Frequency Rank
Podcast: 锦
Podcast: 锦
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 锦
Quick Contrast
锦 (jǐn) vs 绸 (chóu) — use 锦 for luxurious, intricately woven fabrics, while 绸 refers to smooth silk-like fabrics often used for clothing.
Usage Notes
锦 is often used in more formal contexts, especially when discussing textiles or art. Common collocations include 锦绣 (jǐnxiù, meaning 'embroidered work') and 锦衣 (jǐnyī, meaning 'brocade clothing'). Be careful with pronunciation; the third tone may sometimes be mistaken for the second tone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 锦 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects well with HSK vocabulary related to clothing and textiles. Students should pay attention to the character's structure and its association with beauty and luxury, enhancing their descriptive language skills.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 锦 with other similar-sounding characters. For example, 锦 (jǐn) is sometimes mistakenly used instead of 近 (jìn, meaning 'near'). Always remember that 锦 refers specifically to brocade or embroidered fabric.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 锦
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 锦 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 锦 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 锦?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 锦 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.
The character 锦 (jǐn) primarily refers to a type of luxurious fabric, often intricately woven or embroidered, typically used for decorative purposes in clothing or art. It connotes brightness and richness, symbolizing beauty and splendor, and is often associated with traditional Chinese textiles and cultural heritage.
When to use 锦
锦 is often used in more formal contexts, especially when discussing textiles or art. Common collocations include 锦绣 (jǐnxiù, meaning 'embroidered work') and 锦衣 (jǐnyī, meaning 'brocade clothing'). Be careful with pronunciation; the third tone may sometimes be mistaken for the second tone.
锦 or something close to it
锦 (jǐn) vs 绸 (chóu) — use 锦 for luxurious, intricately woven fabrics, while 绸 refers to smooth silk-like fabrics often used for clothing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 锦 with other similar-sounding characters. For example, 锦 (jǐn) is sometimes mistakenly used instead of 近 (jìn, meaning 'near'). Always remember that 锦 refers specifically to brocade or embroidered fabric.
Write 锦
锦
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 锦 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 锦
锦 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我们的生活虽然并非____衣玉食，也算是衣食无忧。
We don't live in the lap of luxury, but we're comfortable.
Example Sentences for 锦 (16)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我们的生活虽然并非锦衣玉食，也算是衣食无忧。
wǒ mén de shēng huó suī rán bìng fēi jǐn yī yù shí， ， yě suàn shì yī shí wú。
We don't live in the lap of luxury, but we're comfortable.
