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含 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
含
hán
to keep
HSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 口, rank #5050, Hard
含
hán
to contain
HSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 口, rank #5050, Hard
含
hán
to suck (keep in your mouth without chewing)
HSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 口, rank #5050, Hard
含
hán
to hold in the mouth; to contain; to cherish
HSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 口, rank #5050, Hard
hán(han2)han T2
1to keep
2to contain
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March 24, 2026
含hán(han2)
The character 含 (hán) means 'to contain' or 'to hold in the mouth without chewing.' It is often used to describe keeping something in the mouth, such as food or emotions. This word can also imply cherishing or holding something dear, reflecting a deeper emotional connection to what is contained.
Strokes7Radical口Frequency#5050DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '包含' (bāohán, to include) is significant, especially in literature and poetry where emotions are often contained and expressed subtly. The idea of cherishing something is deeply rooted in familial and social values.
Memory tip
Imagine a person holding a sweet, delicious candy in their mouth, savoring it without chewing. The character 含 resembles a mouth (口) that is 'containing' something precious (the components of '含' suggest holding inside). This imagery will help you remember both the pronunciation (hán) and the meaning of holding or containing.
Meanings of 含
hán(han2)
1to keep
2to contain
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 含 means.
About 含
含Simplified
7Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5050Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 含
Podcast: 含
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AI study notes for 含
Quick Contrast
含 (hán) vs 包 (bāo) — use 含 when referring to holding something in the mouth or emotions, while 包 indicates enclosing or wrapping something physically.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is using 含 in contexts where it doesn't fit, such as using it for abstract concepts that aren't physically contained. Remember that this word often has a more emotional or physical implication. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of the tone in more serious conversations.
HSK Study Tips
While 含 is not officially listed in HSK levels, it shares roots with other common characters like 包 (bāo, to wrap) and 含义 (hányì, meaning). Focus on its application in expressing emotions or physical actions of containing to strengthen your vocabulary. Understanding its use in phrases will enhance your comprehension.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 含 with 含有 (hányǒu), which means 'to contain' in a more general sense. For example, saying '含有感情' instead of '含感情' can lead to misunderstandings. Always ensure you're using the right context for 含 to avoid confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 含
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 含 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.
含 = 口 + 今. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 含
IDS Structure⿱今口
含Full character
=
今jin1
top
口kou3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 含?
How to say to keep in Chinese
“to keep” in Chinese is含hán
The character 含 (hán) means 'to contain' or 'to hold in the mouth without chewing.' It is often used to describe keeping something in the mouth, such as food or emotions. This word can also imply cherishing or holding something dear, reflecting a deeper emotional connection to what is contained.
When to use 含
A common mistake is using 含 in contexts where it doesn't fit, such as using it for abstract concepts that aren't physically contained. Remember that this word often has a more emotional or physical implication. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of the tone in more serious conversations.
含 or something close to it
含 (hán) vs 包 (bāo) — use 含 when referring to holding something in the mouth or emotions, while 包 indicates enclosing or wrapping something physically.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 含 with 含有 (hányǒu), which means 'to contain' in a more general sense. For example, saying '含有感情' instead of '含感情' can lead to misunderstandings. Always ensure you're using the right context for 含 to avoid confusion.
Write 含
含
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Practice writing 含 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 含
含 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 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.
