Meanings of 串
By ear
Play it, then pick what 串 means.
About 串
Podcast: 串
Podcast: 串
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 串
串 (chuàn) vs 线 (xiàn) — use 串 for food or social connections, while 线 refers specifically to lines or threads.
Be cautious when using 串 in different contexts, as it can imply a negative connotation when referring to conspiracies or mixing up information. It is generally informal and should be used with care in professional settings. Common collocations include 串串 (chuan chuan, skewers) and 串联 (chuan lian, to connect in series).
As an HSK 6 word, 串 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to food, connections, and social interactions. Focus on its multiple meanings and practice using it in various sentences to grasp its versatility.
Learners often confuse 串 with similar-sounding words. For example, saying '我串了这些信息' (I strung together this information) can be misleading; a better way would be '我混合了这些信息' (I mixed up this information) when the context isn’t about physical strings.
Pronunciation of 串
Drill the tone of 串, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 串 to you
Let me explain 串 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 串 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 串?
Learning Lab
Knowing 串 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.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 串
Pictograph of two objects on a skewer or strung together.
Two objects 口 strung 丨 together
Origin
What kind of character is 串?
Decomposition of 串
Parts
Which of these is part of 串?
How to say to string together in Chinese
“to string together” in Chinese is串
The character 串 (chuàn) primarily means 'to string together' or 'to skewer'. It is commonly used in contexts involving food, such as skewered meat on a stick, but can also mean to connect or mix things up in various contexts, including social or conspiratorial situations. The nuances include its applications in both tangible and abstract connections.
When to use 串
Be cautious when using 串 in different contexts, as it can imply a negative connotation when referring to conspiracies or mixing up information. It is generally informal and should be used with care in professional settings. Common collocations include 串串 (chuan chuan, skewers) and 串联 (chuan lian, to connect in series).
串 or something close to it
串 (chuàn) vs 线 (xiàn) — use 串 for food or social connections, while 线 refers specifically to lines or threads.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 串 with similar-sounding words. For example, saying '我串了这些信息' (I strung together this information) can be misleading; a better way would be '我混合了这些信息' (I mixed up this information) when the context isn’t about physical strings.
Write 串
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 串 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 串
串 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 16 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
她买了一____葡萄。
She bought a bunch of grapes.
Example sentences for 串 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 串?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Word Family of 串
Characters with 串
What does 患 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 串
串 can mean to string together, skewer, or to mix up and connect in various contexts. It also refers to a classifier for a series or bunch of items.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 串?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.