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閂 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
閂shuānbolt, latch, crossbarx, 9 strokes, radical 門
shuān(shuan1) T1
  1. 1bolt, latch, crossbar
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

閂shuān(shuan1)

The character 閂 (shuān) refers to a type of locking mechanism, specifically a bolt or latch used to secure doors or gates. It is commonly found in contexts related to security and closure. Understanding this term is useful for discussing home safety and architectural features in Chinese.

Strokes9Radical門
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese architecture, doors often featured complex locking mechanisms including bolts like 閂, reflecting the importance of security in historical homes. Such features were not only functional but also symbolized a family's protection and privacy.

Memory Tip

Imagine a door being secured with a heavy bolt (閂) that closes it tightly. The character has the radical 門 (door) on the left, indicating its relation to doors, and the right side resembles a lock mechanism, helping you remember that it means 'latch' or 'bolt'.

Meanings of 閂

shuān(shuan1)
1bolt, latch, crossbar
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 閂

閂Simplified
9Strokes
門Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 閂

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Podcast: 閂

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 閂

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 閂 with other locking terms like 锁 (suǒ), which means 'lock'. Remember that 閂 specifically refers to a bolt or latch mechanism. It is more common in written language and less so in everyday conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 閂 is not part of HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial to connect it with other related terms like 锁 (lock) and 门 (door), which are essential for describing home security. Focus on recognizing the radicals and their meanings to enhance retention.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 锁 instead of 閂 when referring to a door latch. For example, saying '请把门锁上' (qǐng bǎmén suǒ shàng) meaning 'please lock the door' could be inappropriate if referring to a bolt; it's better to specify using 閂.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 閂

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Etymology of 閂

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A bar 一 laid across a gate 門

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 閂

  1. 1The giveawayA bar 一 laid across a gate 門
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

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

Want the full history of 閂? 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 閂?

Decomposition of 閂

IDS Structure⿵門一
閂Full Character
=
門men2
enclosing
一yi1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 閂?

How to say bolt, latch, crossbar in Chinese

“bolt, latch, crossbar” in Chinese is閂shuān

The character 閂 (shuān) refers to a type of locking mechanism, specifically a bolt or latch used to secure doors or gates. It is commonly found in contexts related to security and closure. Understanding this term is useful for discussing home safety and architectural features in Chinese.

When to use 閂

Learners often confuse 閂 with other locking terms like 锁 (suǒ), which means 'lock'. Remember that 閂 specifically refers to a bolt or latch mechanism. It is more common in written language and less so in everyday conversation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 锁 instead of 閂 when referring to a door latch. For example, saying '请把门锁上' (qǐng bǎmén suǒ shàng) meaning 'please lock the door' could be inappropriate if referring to a bolt; it's better to specify using 閂.

Write 閂

閂

Practice writing 閂 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 閂

Words Containing This Character2
闩shuānbolt閂
门闩door bolt門閂
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 闩 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 閂

It is pronounced as 'shuān' with a rising tone.

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