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旋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
旋xuánto revolveHSK 7, n, 11 strokes, radical 方, rank #13132, Very Hard
旋xuána loopHSK 7, n, 11 strokes, radical 方, rank #13132, Very Hard
旋xuána circleHSK 7, n, 11 strokes, radical 方, rank #13132, Very Hard
旋xuánto whirlHSK 7, n, 11 strokes, radical 方, rank #13132, Very Hard
旋xuánimmediatelyHSK 7, n, 11 strokes, radical 方, rank #13132, Very Hard
旋xuánto revolve, to orbit, to returnHSK 7, n, 11 strokes, radical 方, rank #13132, Very Hard
旋xuànto revolveHSK 7, n, 11 strokes, radical 方, rank #13132, Very Hard
旋xuàna loopHSK 7, n, 11 strokes, radical 方, rank #13132, Very Hard
旋xuàna circleHSK 7, n, 11 strokes, radical 方, rank #13132, Very Hard
旋xuànto whirlHSK 7, n, 11 strokes, radical 方, rank #13132, Very Hard
旋xuànimmediatelyHSK 7, n, 11 strokes, radical 方, rank #13132, Very Hard
旋xuànto revolve, to orbit, to returnHSK 7, n, 11 strokes, radical 方, rank #13132, Very Hard
xuán(xuan2)
primary
 T2
  1. 1to revolve
  2. 2a loop
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

旋xuán(xuan2)

The character 旋 (xuán) primarily means to revolve or whirl around a central point. It is often used in contexts related to circular motion or loops, such as in mechanics or dance. Additionally, it can imply immediacy in certain contexts, reflecting a swift action or response.

Strokes11Radical方Frequency#13132DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of rotation or cycles is significant, particularly in philosophy and traditional practices like Tai Chi, where movements are often circular and fluid, reflecting the importance of harmony and balance.

Memory Tip

Imagine a spinning top (旋) that twirls around and around. The circular motion of the top can help you remember both the meaning of 'to revolve' and the pronunciation 'xuán.' Visualize it spinning so fast that it creates a loop of color around it.

Meanings of 旋

xuán(xuan2)
primary
1to revolve
2a loop
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 旋

旋Simplified
11Strokes
方Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13132Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7

Podcast: 旋

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Podcast: 旋

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 旋

Quick Contrast

旋 (xuán) vs 转 (zhuǎn) — use 旋 when emphasizing circular motion around a central point, while 转 focuses more on the act of turning or changing direction.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a spinning top (旋) that twirls around and around. The circular motion of the top can help you remember both the meaning of 'to revolve' and the pronunciation 'xuán.' Visualize it spinning so fast that it creates a loop of color around it.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 旋 (xuán) as the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. This character is often used in formal contexts, especially in technical language, and can be combined with other characters to form phrases like 旋转 (xuánzhuǎn) meaning 'to rotate.'

HSK Study Tips

Though 旋 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, its meaning connects with other HSK words related to movement and direction. Focusing on its usage in phrases will enhance understanding of more complex terms as you progress.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of rotation or cycles is significant, particularly in philosophy and traditional practices like Tai Chi, where movements are often circular and fluid, reflecting the importance of harmony and balance.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 旋 (xuán) with similar-sounding words, such as 选 (xuǎn), which means 'to choose.' Be careful not to mix up the meanings and ensure you practice the tones correctly.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 旋

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Etymology of 旋

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

An army 方 marching under a flag 疋

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 旋?

Decomposition of 旋

IDS Structure⿰方⿱？疋
旋Full Character
=
方Fang1
left
疋pi3
top
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 旋?

Write 旋

旋

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 旋

旋 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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

Complete the Sentence

伴随着隆隆的低沉噪声，螺____桨开始旋转起来。

With a low-pitched rumbling noise, the propeller began to rotate.

Example Sentences for 旋 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
伴随着隆隆的低沉噪声，螺旋桨开始旋转起来。

bàn suí zháo lóng lóng de dī chén zào shēng， ， luó xuán jiǎng kāi shǐ xuán zhuǎn qǐ。

With a low-pitched rumbling noise, the propeller began to rotate.
2
旋转木马的幽灵只不过是当地的迷信说法。

xuán zhuǎn mù mǎ de yōu líng zhī bù guò shì dāng dì de mí xìn shuō fǎ。

The phantom of the merry-go-round is just a local superstition.
3
他一站起身就觉得天旋地转。

tā yī zhàn qǐ shēn jiù jué dé tiān xuán dì zhuǎn。

He came over all dizzy when he stood up.
4
他的歌旋律优美、悦耳动听，让我潸然泪下。

tā de gē xuán lǜ yōu měi、 、 yuè ěr dòng， tīng ， ràng wǒ shān rán。

Wonderfully melodic and tuneful, his songs have made me weep.
5
在1,000英尺的高度飞行时，他听到旋翼发出一种奇怪的噪音。

zài1,000 1,000 yīng chǐ de gāo dù fēi háng， shí ， tā tīng dào xuán yì fā chū yī zhǒng qí guài de。

Flying at 1,000 ft. he heard a peculiar noise from the rotors.
6
头顶上，直升机在呼啸，巨大的螺旋桨叶片搅动着空气。

tóu dǐng shàng， ， zhí shēng jī zài hū， xiào ， jù dà de luó xuán jiǎng yè piàn jiǎo dòng zháo。

Overhead, the chopper roared and the big blades churned the air.
7
船开始在水中打旋。

chuán kāi shǐ zài shuǐ zhōng dǎ xuán。

The boat started to spin around in the water.
8
滚滚浓烟盘旋翻腾，恶臭味呛得她喘不过气来。

gǔn gǔn nóng yān pán xuán fān téng， ， è chòu wèi qiāng dé tā chuǎn bù guò qì。

Dense smoke swirled and billowed, its rank fumes choking her.
9
几百人在舞厅的舞池里旋转。

jī bǎi rén zài wǔ tīng de wǔ chí lǐ xuán zhuǎn。

Several hundred people twirl around the ballroom dance floor.
10
每一束螺旋光都分解成了光点。

měi yī shù luó xuán guāng dū fēn jiě chéng le guāng diǎn。

Each of the spirals of light resolved into points.

Cultural Notes for 旋

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of rotation or cycles is significant, particularly in philosophy and traditional practices like Tai Chi, where movements are often circular and fluid, reflecting the importance of harmony and balance.

Word Family of 旋

Compounds8
漩xuan2eddy, whirlpool
璇xuan2beautiful jade; star
嫙
蔙
镟xuan4lathe
暶
縼
鏇
Words Containing This Character20
旋转xuánzhuǎnto rotate旋轉
旋律xuánlǜmelody
旋xuána loop
螺旋spiral
盘旋pánxuánto spiral盤旋
旋风whirlwind旋風
凯旋to return in triumph凱旋
主旋律theme or subject (music)
周旋zhōuxuánto socialize
回旋cyclotron
螺旋桨propeller螺旋槳
旋即soon after
斡旋to mediate (a conflict etc)
旋涡xuánwōspiral旋渦
旋钮knob (e.g. handle or radio button)旋鈕
气旋cyclone氣旋
螺旋体Spirochaetes, phylum of extremophile bacteria螺旋體
螺旋藻spiral algae
凯旋门triumphal arch凱旋門
天旋地转fig. huge changes in the world天旋地轉
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 漩 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 旋

Common phrases include 旋转 (xuánzhuǎn) meaning 'to rotate' and 旋律 (xuánlǜ) meaning 'melody,' where the notion of circular motion or flow is integral.

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