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牵 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
牵
qiān
to pull (an animal on a tether)
HSK 6, v, 9 strokes, radical 大, rank #4081, Hard
牵
qiān
to lead along
HSK 6, v, 9 strokes, radical 大, rank #4081, Hard
牵
qiān
to hold hands
HSK 6, v, 9 strokes, radical 大, rank #4081, Hard
牵
qiān
to drag, to pull, to lead by the hand
HSK 6, v, 9 strokes, radical 大, rank #4081, Hard
牵
qiān
(bound form) to involve
HSK 6, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 大, rank #4081, Hard
牵
qiān
to draw in
HSK 6, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 大, rank #4081, Hard
qiān(qian1)qian T1
1to pull (an animal on a tether)
2to lead along
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March 24, 2026
牵(牽)qiān(qian1)
The character 牵 (qiān) primarily means 'to pull' or 'to lead along', often used in contexts involving animals, such as leading a pet on a leash. It can also refer to the act of holding hands with someone, suggesting a connection or involvement between individuals. Additionally, it can imply drawing someone into a situation or leading them in a more abstract sense.
Strokes9Radical大Frequency#4081DifficultyHard
Cultural note
牵 is often associated with affection in Chinese culture, particularly in romantic relationships, where couples are seen holding hands, symbolizing connection and commitment. It can also be used in traditional contexts, such as leading a horse or animal, reflecting the importance of animals in rural life.
Memory tip
Imagine a person pulling a dog on a leash (牵) while also holding hands with a friend. The character 牵 looks like a person (牵) leading an animal, with the 'animal' radical (牛) representing the act of pulling. Remember 'qiān' as 'can I lead you along?'
Meanings of 牵
qiān(qian1)
1to pull (an animal on a tether)
2to lead along
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 牵
牵Simplified
牽Traditional
9Strokes
大Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4081Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 牵
Podcast: 牵
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AI study notes for 牵
Quick Contrast
牵 (qiān) vs 带 (dài) — use 牵 for holding or leading someone or something closely, while 带 emphasizes carrying or bringing along.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 牵 (qiān) with similar verbs like 拉 (lā, to pull) or 引 (yǐn, to lead), which have different connotations. In both formal and informal contexts, it’s frequently used with the object being led or pulled, e.g., 牵手 (hold hands). Pay attention to the tone; a mispronunciation may lead to confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 牵 is relevant when discussing relationships and interactions. Students should focus on using it in combination with other verbs and nouns to express actions involving leading or pulling, enhancing their vocabulary related to social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 牵 with 拉 and use it incorrectly in sentences like '我拉我的朋友' (I pull my friend), which would be better expressed as '我牵我的朋友' to convey leading them gently.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 牵
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How to say to pull (an animal on a tether) in Chinese
“to pull (an animal on a tether)” in Chinese is牵qiān
The character 牵 (qiān) primarily means 'to pull' or 'to lead along', often used in contexts involving animals, such as leading a pet on a leash. It can also refer to the act of holding hands with someone, suggesting a connection or involvement between individuals. Additionally, it can imply drawing someone into a situation or leading them in a more abstract sense.
When to use 牵
Common mistakes include confusing 牵 (qiān) with similar verbs like 拉 (lā, to pull) or 引 (yǐn, to lead), which have different connotations. In both formal and informal contexts, it’s frequently used with the object being led or pulled, e.g., 牵手 (hold hands). Pay attention to the tone; a mispronunciation may lead to confusion with other words.
牵 or something close to it
牵 (qiān) vs 带 (dài) — use 牵 for holding or leading someone or something closely, while 带 emphasizes carrying or bringing along.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 牵 with 拉 and use it incorrectly in sentences like '我拉我的朋友' (I pull my friend), which would be better expressed as '我牵我的朋友' to convey leading them gently.
Write 牵
牵
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Grammar patterns of 牵
牵 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 6 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这是天竺葵和矮____牛盛开的时节。
This is when geraniums and petunias come into their own.
It's difficult enough without muddying the issue with religion.
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Word Family of 牵
Words containing this character20
牵qiānto lead along牽
牵扯qiānchěto involve牽扯
牵涉qiānshèto involve牽涉
牵连qiānliánto implicate牽連
牵挂qiānguàto worry about牽掛
牵引qiānyǐnto pull牽引
牵头qiāntóuto take the lead牽頭
牵制qiānzhìto control牽制
牵动qiāndòngto affect牽動
牵强qiānqiǎngfar-fetched牽強
顺手牵羊shùnshǒuqiānyángto take advantage of a crisis for personal gain順手牽羊
牵线qiānxiànto pull strings牽線
牵牛花qiānniúhuāwhite-edged morning glory牽牛花
牵绊qiānbànto bind牽絆
牵引力qiānyǐnlìmotive force牽引力
魂牵梦萦húnqiānmèngyíngto miss魂牽夢縈
牵牛qiānniúAltair (star)牽牛
牵强附会qiānqiǎngfùhuìto make an irrelevant comparison or interpretation (idiom)牽強附會
牵着鼻子走qiānzhebízizǒuto lead by the nose牽著鼻子走
牵肠挂肚qiānchángguàdùdeeply worried (idiom); to feel anxious牽腸掛肚
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 牵
What does 牵扯 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 牵
While both mean 'to pull', 牵 specifically implies leading or drawing someone along, often in a gentle manner, whereas 拉 can indicate a stronger pulling action.
Yes, 牵 can be used metaphorically to describe drawing someone into a situation or involving them in an activity.
牵 is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it tends to appear more in casual conversations about relationships.
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