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献 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
献
xiàn
to offer
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 犬, rank #4239, Very Hard
献
xiàn
to present
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 犬, rank #4239, Very Hard
献
xiàn
to dedicate
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 犬, rank #4239, Very Hard
献
xiàn
to donate
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 犬, rank #4239, Very Hard
献
xiàn
to show
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 犬, rank #4239, Very Hard
献
xiàn
to put on display
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 犬, rank #4239, Very Hard
献
xiàn
worthy person (old)
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 犬, rank #4239, Very Hard
献
xiàn
to offer, to present; to show, to display
HSK 7, v, 13 strokes, radical 犬, rank #4239, Very Hard
xiàn(xian4)xian T4
1to offer
2to present
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March 24, 2026
献(獻)xiàn(xian4)
The character 献 (xiàn) primarily means 'to offer' or 'to present.' It is often used in contexts where something is given or dedicated to someone else, such as in ceremonies, donations, or displays. Additionally, it carries a nuance of reverence and respect in the act of giving.
Strokes13Radical犬Frequency#4239DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
献 is often associated with traditional Chinese practices such as offerings to ancestors during festivals, reflecting the culture's deep respect for lineage and heritage. This character embodies the values of respect and gratitude in Chinese society.
Memory tip
Imagine a cat (the radical 猫) presenting a gift to its owner. The cat is '献' (xiàn)ing its love, showcasing its worthiness. The shape of the character suggests something being put forth, like a gift being offered with care.
Meanings of 献
xiàn(xian4)
1to offer
2to present
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 献 means.
About 献
献Simplified
獻Traditional
13Strokes
犬Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4239Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 献
Podcast: 献
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AI study notes for 献
Quick Contrast
奉 (fèng) - use 奉 when emphasizing the respectful or deferential manner of offering; 赠 (zèng) - use 赠 when the focus is on giving as a gift without the connotation of ceremony or reverence.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 献 with similar verbs like 送 (sòng), which means 'to send' rather than 'to offer.' It's generally used in formal contexts, such as in ceremonies or philanthropy, so be cautious in informal settings. A common collocation is 献爱心 (xiàn ài xīn), meaning 'to show love or compassion.'
HSK Study Tips
While 献 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding it enriches comprehension of related words in the realm of giving and offering, such as 贡献 (gòng xiàn, 'contribute'). Focus on its usage in formal contexts to grasp its significance in cultural exchanges.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 献 with 给予 (jǐ yǔ), which means 'to give' in a more general sense. A wrong example would be saying '我献给你这个' (Wǒ xiàn gěi nǐ zhège) when a simpler '我给你这个' (Wǒ gěi nǐ zhège) would suffice.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 献
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献 = 犬 + 南. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 献
IDS Structure⿰南犬
献Full character
=
南Nan2
left
犬quan3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 献?
How to say to offer in Chinese
“to offer” in Chinese is献xiàn
The character 献 (xiàn) primarily means 'to offer' or 'to present.' It is often used in contexts where something is given or dedicated to someone else, such as in ceremonies, donations, or displays. Additionally, it carries a nuance of reverence and respect in the act of giving.
When to use 献
Common mistakes include confusing 献 with similar verbs like 送 (sòng), which means 'to send' rather than 'to offer.' It's generally used in formal contexts, such as in ceremonies or philanthropy, so be cautious in informal settings. A common collocation is 献爱心 (xiàn ài xīn), meaning 'to show love or compassion.'
献 or something close to it
奉 (fèng) - use 奉 when emphasizing the respectful or deferential manner of offering; 赠 (zèng) - use 赠 when the focus is on giving as a gift without the connotation of ceremony or reverence.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 献 with 给予 (jǐ yǔ), which means 'to give' in a more general sense. A wrong example would be saying '我献给你这个' (Wǒ xiàn gěi nǐ zhège) when a simpler '我给你这个' (Wǒ gěi nǐ zhège) would suffice.
Write 献
献
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Grammar patterns of 献
献 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 8 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.
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
每位市民都为这座城市的发展做出过或大或小的贡____。
Every citizen has made contributions, either big or small, to the development of this city.
Common confusions with 献
献vs现
xiàn
Similar pronunciation but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “to offer”?
or
Usage Notes for 献
Confusion with similar verbsCommon Error
Learners often confuse 献 with 现, as they sound similar. Remember that 献 specifically means to offer or dedicate, while 现 relates to appearance or current.
1
他献上了一首歌。
He dedicated a song.
Exercise 1 of 1
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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Cultural Notes for 献
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the act of donating is often seen as a personal choice or charity, while in Chinese culture, it can be tied to familial obligations and respect for ancestors, highlighting a communal aspect of giving.
Word Family of 献
Compounds2
谳yànto decide, to judge; decision, verdict
擜è
Words containing this character18
贡献gòngxiànto contribute貢獻
献xiànto offer獻
奉献fèngxiànto consecrate奉獻
文献wénxiàndocument文獻
捐献juānxiànto donate捐獻
献身xiànshēnto devote oneself to獻身
献血xiànxuèto donate blood獻血
献上xiànshàngto offer to God獻上
献殷勤xiànyīnqínto court sb's favor獻殷勤
献策xiàncèto offer advice獻策
献花xiànhuāto offer flowers獻花
呈献chéngxiànto present respectfully呈獻
献媚xiànmèito pander to獻媚
献词xiàncícongratulatory message獻詞
献计xiànjìto offer advice獻計
献血者xiànxuèzhěblood donor獻血者
张献忠zhāngxiànzhōngZhang Xianzhong (1606-1647), leader of a late-Ming peasant revolt張獻忠
汉献帝hànxiàndìEmperor Xian of Han (181-234), the final Han emperor, set up by Dong Zhuo 董卓, reigned 189-220, forced to abdicate 220 by Cao Pi 曹丕漢獻帝
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 献
What does 谳 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 献
You can say '我献上我的爱' (Wǒ xiàn shàng wǒ de ài) meaning 'I offer my love.'
Not typically; it's more common in formal situations, such as ceremonies or when discussing donations.
A common phrase is '献血' (xiàn xuè), which means 'to donate blood.'
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