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March 24, 2026
劝(勸)quàn(quan4)
The character 劝 (quàn) means to advise or urge someone to do something. It is commonly used in contexts where one is trying to persuade or encourage another person to take a particular action or to reconsider their choices. In addition to advising, it can also imply a sense of consolation or soothing.
Strokes4Radical力Frequency#3260DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of 劝 is seen as a way to show care and concern for others, often reflecting the values of collectivism and familial duty. It is common for elders to 劝 younger generations about life choices, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and guidance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise elder (the character's left radical 力 means 'strength') urging a young person to choose wisely. Picture the elder pointing with strength, saying, 'You should do this for a better future!' This visualization connects the form of the character with its meaning of persuasion and advice.
Meanings of 劝
quàn(quan4)
1to advise
2to urge
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 劝
劝Simplified
勸Traditional
4Strokes
力Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3260Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 劝
Podcast: 劝
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AI Study Notes for 劝
Quick Contrast
劝 (quàn) vs 促 (cù) — use 劝 when emphasizing advice or persuasion, while 促 focuses more on urging or hastening an action.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is confusing 劝 with other similar verbs like 建议 (jiàn yì, to suggest), which is less forceful. 劝 tends to be more direct and can sometimes sound pushy, so be mindful of the context. It is often used in both formal and informal settings, but be careful with tone; using the wrong tone may change the intended meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 劝 connects well with other verbs that imply actions that involve communication or influence, such as 建议 (jiàn yì) and 提议 (tí yì). Students should practice using 劝 in sentences that involve advising friends or family to reinforce its application.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 劝 with its synonyms and use it inappropriately. For example, saying '我建议你去' (wǒ jiàn yì nǐ qù, 'I suggest you go') when they actually mean to urge someone with 劝. The correct phrase would be '我劝你去' (wǒ quàn nǐ qù).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 劝
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How Well Do You Know 劝?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 劝 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 劝 (quàn) means to advise or urge someone to do something. It is commonly used in contexts where one is trying to persuade or encourage another person to take a particular action or to reconsider their choices. In addition to advising, it can also imply a sense of consolation or soothing.
When to use 劝
A common mistake is confusing 劝 with other similar verbs like 建议 (jiàn yì, to suggest), which is less forceful. 劝 tends to be more direct and can sometimes sound pushy, so be mindful of the context. It is often used in both formal and informal settings, but be careful with tone; using the wrong tone may change the intended meaning.
劝 or something close to it
劝 (quàn) vs 促 (cù) — use 劝 when emphasizing advice or persuasion, while 促 focuses more on urging or hastening an action.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 劝 with its synonyms and use it inappropriately. For example, saying '我建议你去' (wǒ jiàn yì nǐ qù, 'I suggest you go') when they actually mean to urge someone with 劝. The correct phrase would be '我劝你去' (wǒ quàn nǐ qù).
Write 劝
劝
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Grammar Patterns of 劝
劝 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 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.
