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神仙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
神仙shénxiānDaoist immortalHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, rank #13033, Very Hard
神仙shénxiānsupernatural entityHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, rank #13033, Very Hard
神仙shénxiān(in modern fiction) fairy, elf, leprechaun etcHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, rank #13033, Very Hard
神仙shénxiānfig. lighthearted personHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, rank #13033, Very Hard
shénxiān(shen2xian1)shen xian T2
  1. 1Daoist immortal
  2. 2supernatural entity
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March 24, 2026

神仙shénxiān(shen2xian1)

神仙 (shénxiān) refers to a Daoist immortal or a supernatural being with magical abilities. In contemporary contexts, it can also refer to fantastical creatures like fairies or elves, often embodying a lighthearted or whimsical persona, reflecting a sense of wonder and playfulness in both traditional and modern Chinese storytelling.

Strokes14Frequency#13033DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 神仙 is deeply rooted in Daoism, where these immortals symbolize the pursuit of harmony and enlightenment. They are often depicted in folklore as wise beings who can offer guidance or magical assistance.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'divine' (神) 'immortal' (仙) dancing in the clouds, playing tricks like a playful elf. The character 神 (shén) resembles a person with a halo, symbolizing divinity, while 仙 (xiān) can be visualized as a person soaring above the mountains, representing immortality.

Meanings of 神仙

shénxiān(shen2xian1)
1Daoist immortal
2supernatural entity
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 神仙

神仙Simplified
14Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13033Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 神仙

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Podcast: 神仙

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AI Study Notes for 神仙

Quick Contrast

仙人 (xiānrén) - use 神仙 (shénxiān) for a broader, more whimsical context, while 仙人 (xiānrén) often refers specifically to a Daoist immortal with a more serious connotation.

Usage Notes

Be cautious to use 神仙 in contexts that relate to mythology or fantasy; using it in serious discussions about spirituality may be inappropriate. Common collocations include '神仙故事' (stories of immortals) and '神仙姐姐' (fairy sister), which are often found in casual conversation or literature.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 神仙 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to mythology and fantasy, such as 妖怪 (yāoguài, monster) or 传说 (chuánshuō, legend). Focus on understanding its usage in literary contexts, as well as its metaphorical application in describing whimsical characters.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 神仙 with 仙人 (xiānrén), which specifically means an immortal person. For example, saying '他是一个神仙人' (Tā shì yī gè shénxiān rén) is incorrect; it should be '他是一个仙人' (Tā shì yī gè xiānrén).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 神仙

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Component Characters

神shénGod
HSK 69 strokes礻
View full entry
仙xiānimmortal
5 strokes亻
View full entry

How to say Daoist immortal in Chinese

“Daoist immortal” in Chinese is神仙shénxiān

神仙 (shénxiān) refers to a Daoist immortal or a supernatural being with magical abilities. In contemporary contexts, it can also refer to fantastical creatures like fairies or elves, often embodying a lighthearted or whimsical persona, reflecting a sense of wonder and playfulness in both traditional and modern Chinese storytelling.

When to use 神仙

Be cautious to use 神仙 in contexts that relate to mythology or fantasy; using it in serious discussions about spirituality may be inappropriate. Common collocations include '神仙故事' (stories of immortals) and '神仙姐姐' (fairy sister), which are often found in casual conversation or literature.

神仙 or something close to it

仙人 (xiānrén) - use 神仙 (shénxiān) for a broader, more whimsical context, while 仙人 (xiānrén) often refers specifically to a Daoist immortal with a more serious connotation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 神仙 with 仙人 (xiānrén), which specifically means an immortal person. For example, saying '他是一个神仙人' (Tā shì yī gè shénxiān rén) is incorrect; it should be '他是一个仙人' (Tā shì yī gè xiānrén).

Write 神仙

神
仙

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Grammar Patterns of 神仙

神仙 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 4 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 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

____教母的魔法使灰姑娘的破烂衣衫变成了一件漂亮的长外衣.

The fairy godmother's magic charm turned Cinderella's rags into a beautiful gown.

Example Sentences for 神仙 (1)

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1
神仙教母的魔法使灰姑娘的破烂衣衫变成了一件漂亮的长外衣.

shén xiān jiào mǔ de mó fǎ shǐ huī gū niáng de pò làn yī shān biàn chéng le yī jiàn piāo liàng de cháng wài yī.

The fairy godmother's magic charm turned Cinderella's rags into a beautiful gown.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 神仙

No, while originally rooted in Daoist beliefs, 神仙 can also refer to fictional characters in modern stories, making it versatile in both religious and secular contexts.

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