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文物 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
文物wénwùcultural relicHSK 6, n, 12 strokes, rank #11671, Hard
文物wénwùhistorical relicHSK 6, n, 12 strokes, rank #11671, Hard
wénwù(wen2wu4)wen wu T2
  1. 1cultural relic
  2. 2historical relic
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March 24, 2026

文物wénwù(wen2wu4)

文物 (wénwù) refers to cultural and historical relics that embody the heritage and artistry of a civilization. Commonly used in contexts relating to museums, archaeology, and cultural preservation, this term emphasizes the significance of artifacts that connect us to our past.

Strokes12Frequency#11671DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In China, cultural relics are often associated with national pride and identity, especially as many artifacts are linked to ancient dynasties and significant historical events. The preservation and study of 文物 are seen as essential for maintaining cultural continuity.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'wen' (文) of ancient script etched on a 'wu' (物) object, like a vase. Visualize a museum filled with these artifacts, each telling stories of history and culture. The '文' represents culture and literature, while '物' represents tangible items, making it easier to remember that 文物 are cultural objects.

Meanings of 文物

wénwù(wen2wu4)
1cultural relic
2historical relic
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About 文物

文物Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#11671Frequency Rank
件Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 文物

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Podcast: 文物

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AI Study Notes for 文物

Quick Contrast

古物 (gǔwù) refers to ancient objects or antiques, while 文物 (wénwù) specifically emphasizes cultural and historical significance.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the pronunciation; the second syllable is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone). Common collocations include '文物保护' (cultural relic protection) and '文物鉴定' (cultural relic appraisal). This term is more formal and typically used in academic or official settings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 文物 is connected to other cultural and historical terms. Students should focus on understanding its usage in discussions about heritage and the role of artifacts in society, as well as familiarizing themselves with related verbs like '保护' (to protect) and '研究' (to study).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 文物 with other similar terms like 文化 (culture) or 遗物 (remains). For example, saying '我喜欢文化' (I like cultural relics) instead of '我喜欢文物' is incorrect; the former refers to culture in general, while the latter specifies tangible artifacts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 文物

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Component Characters

文wénlanguage
HSK 74 strokes文
View full entry
物wùthing
HSK 28 strokes牛
View full entry

How to say cultural relic in Chinese

“cultural relic” in Chinese is文物wénwù

文物 (wénwù) refers to cultural and historical relics that embody the heritage and artistry of a civilization. Commonly used in contexts relating to museums, archaeology, and cultural preservation, this term emphasizes the significance of artifacts that connect us to our past.

When to use 文物

Be cautious with the pronunciation; the second syllable is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone). Common collocations include '文物保护' (cultural relic protection) and '文物鉴定' (cultural relic appraisal). This term is more formal and typically used in academic or official settings.

文物 or something close to it

古物 (gǔwù) refers to ancient objects or antiques, while 文物 (wénwù) specifically emphasizes cultural and historical significance.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 文物 with other similar terms like 文化 (culture) or 遗物 (remains). For example, saying '我喜欢文化' (I like cultural relics) instead of '我喜欢文物' is incorrect; the former refers to culture in general, while the latter specifies tangible artifacts.

Write 文物

文
物

Practice writing 文物 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 文物

文物 specifically refers to physical cultural relics, while 文化 (culture) refers to the broader concept of cultural practices, beliefs, and values.

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