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驯 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
驯
xùn
tame, obedient, docile
HSK 7, n, 6 strokes, radical 马, rank #7902, Very Hard
驯
xùn
to attain gradually
HSK 7, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 马, rank #7902, Very Hard
驯
xùn
to tame
HSK 7, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 马, rank #7902, Very Hard
驯
xùn
Taiwan pr. [xun2]
HSK 7, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 马, rank #7902, Very Hard
驯
xún
tame, obedient, docile
HSK 7, n, 6 strokes, radical 马, rank #7902, Very Hard
驯
xún
to attain gradually
HSK 7, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 马, rank #7902, Very Hard
驯
xún
to tame
HSK 7, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 马, rank #7902, Very Hard
驯
xún
Taiwan pr. [xun2]
HSK 7, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 马, rank #7902, Very Hard
xùn(xun4)xun
primary
T4
1tame, obedient, docile
2to attain gradually
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March 24, 2026
驯(馴)xùn(xun4)
The character 驯 (xún) means to tame or train an animal to be obedient and docile. It can also refer to the gradual attainment of a skill or quality. Commonly used in contexts involving training pets or livestock, it emphasizes the process of developing compliance.
Strokes6Radical马Frequency#7902DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of taming is not just limited to animals but extends to the idea of self-discipline and obedience in social contexts. The historical significance of taming horses in ancient China for warfare and agriculture is also noteworthy.
Memory tip
Imagine a 'tame' horse (驯) that has been trained to obey commands. The character includes the radical for 'horse' (马), which visually connects to its meaning of training animals. Picture a horse that has learned to follow instructions, making it a memorable image for the pronunciation 'xún'.
Meanings of 驯
xùn(xun4)
primary
1tame, obedient, docile
2to attain gradually
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 驯 means.
About 驯
驯Simplified
馴Traditional
6Strokes
马Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 驯
Podcast: 驯
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AI Study Notes for 驯
Quick Contrast
驯 (xùn) vs 教 (jiào) — use 驯 when focusing on taming animals, while 教 emphasizes teaching or instructing in a broader sense.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of the tone when pronouncing 'xún', as it is in the second tone, which can be mistaken for the first tone (xūn) leading to confusion. This word is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in phrases related to animal training.
HSK Study Tips
While 驯 is not part of the HSK levels, it relates to HSK vocabulary concerning animals and training. Students should focus on recognizing the character in context and understanding its nuances in describing behavior.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 驯 with 训 (xùn), leading to incorrect usage in contexts of training and education. For example, saying '我想驯我的孩子' (I want to tame my child) instead of '我想教我的孩子' (I want to teach my child) demonstrates this mix-up.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 驯
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How Well Do You Know 驯?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 驯 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.
驯 = 马 + 川. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 驯
IDS Structure⿰马川
驯Full character
=
马Ma3
left
川Chuan1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 驯?
How to say tame, obedient, docile in Chinese
“tame, obedient, docile” in Chinese is驯xùn
The character 驯 (xún) means to tame or train an animal to be obedient and docile. It can also refer to the gradual attainment of a skill or quality. Commonly used in contexts involving training pets or livestock, it emphasizes the process of developing compliance.
When to use 驯
Be cautious of the tone when pronouncing 'xún', as it is in the second tone, which can be mistaken for the first tone (xūn) leading to confusion. This word is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in phrases related to animal training.
驯 or something close to it
驯 (xùn) vs 教 (jiào) — use 驯 when focusing on taming animals, while 教 emphasizes teaching or instructing in a broader sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 驯 with 训 (xùn), leading to incorrect usage in contexts of training and education. For example, saying '我想驯我的孩子' (I want to tame my child) instead of '我想教我的孩子' (I want to teach my child) demonstrates this mix-up.
Write 驯
驯
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Practice writing 驯 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 驯
驯 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.
这匹马为它的新____马师开了个好头。
The horse made a winning start for his new trainer.
Example Sentences for 驯 (7)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这匹马为它的新驯马师开了个好头。
zhè pǐ mǎ wéi tā de xīn xùn mǎ shī kāi le gè hǎo tóu。
The horse made a winning start for his new trainer.
