Meanings of 串
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About 串
Podcast: 串
Podcast: 串
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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
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Etymology of 串
Pictograph of two objects on a skewer or strung together.
Two objects 口 strung 丨 together
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 串
Pictograph of two objects on a skewer or strung together.
- 1The giveawayTwo objects 口 strung 丨 together
- 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 串? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 串?
Decomposition of 串
Identify the Components
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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
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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.
Complete the Sentence
她买了一____葡萄。
She bought a bunch of grapes.
Example Sentences for 串 (10)
Word Family of 串
Compound Meaning
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.
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