HSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #16287, Very Hard
掀
xiān
to rock
HSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #16287, Very Hard
掀
xiān
to convulse
HSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #16287, Very Hard
掀
xiān
to stir up; to turn over
HSK 7, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #16287, Very Hard
xiān(xian1) T1
1to lift (a lid)
2to rock
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March 24, 2026
掀xiān(xian1)
The character 掀 (xiān) primarily means 'to lift' or 'to raise,' often used in contexts like lifting a lid or turning something over. It can also imply stirring up or causing a disturbance, such as in emotions or situations. This word is commonly used in both everyday and more formal contexts.
Strokes11Radical扌Frequency#16287DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of lifting a lid might symbolize revealing secrets or uncovering hidden truths, which is a common theme in stories and folklore.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant hand gently lifting a lid off a pot, representing the action of 掀 (xiān). The character has the radical 扌 (hand), emphasizing the action of lifting or manipulating something with your hand.
Meanings of 掀
xiān(xian1)
1to lift (a lid)
2to rock
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 掀
掀Simplified
11Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#16287Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 掀
Podcast: 掀
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AI Study Notes for 掀
Quick Contrast
掀 (xiān) vs 抬 (tái) — use 掀 for actions involving lifting something that covers or conceals, while 抬 is more general for lifting or raising to a higher position.
Usage Notes
Be careful to use 掀 (xiān) in contexts where lifting or turning over is appropriate; it may be confusing with similar verbs like 提 (tí), which also means 'to lift.' It's informal but can be used in a variety of contexts, from casual conversation to more descriptive writing.
HSK Study Tips
While 掀 (xiān) is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with other action verbs at the same level. Students should focus on the nuances of lifting and turning, as well as related verbs that convey similar meanings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 掀 (xiān) with 提 (tí); for example, saying '我提盖子' (wǒ tí gài zi) instead of '我掀盖子' (wǒ xiān gài zi) when referring to lifting a lid. Remember, 掀 emphasizes the motion of lifting something off.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 掀
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Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 欣 represents the sound.
1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
2The sound half欣 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayhand
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 掀? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 掀?
Decomposition of 掀
IDS Structure⿰扌欣
掀Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
欣xin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 掀?
How to say to lift (a lid) in Chinese
“to lift (a lid)” in Chinese is掀xiān
The character 掀 (xiān) primarily means 'to lift' or 'to raise,' often used in contexts like lifting a lid or turning something over. It can also imply stirring up or causing a disturbance, such as in emotions or situations. This word is commonly used in both everyday and more formal contexts.
When to use 掀
Be careful to use 掀 (xiān) in contexts where lifting or turning over is appropriate; it may be confusing with similar verbs like 提 (tí), which also means 'to lift.' It's informal but can be used in a variety of contexts, from casual conversation to more descriptive writing.
掀 or something close to it
掀 (xiān) vs 抬 (tái) — use 掀 for actions involving lifting something that covers or conceals, while 抬 is more general for lifting or raising to a higher position.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 掀 (xiān) with 提 (tí); for example, saying '我提盖子' (wǒ tí gài zi) instead of '我掀盖子' (wǒ xiān gài zi) when referring to lifting a lid. Remember, 掀 emphasizes the motion of lifting something off.
Write 掀
掀
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Practice writing 掀 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 掀
掀 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 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 5
Complete the Sentence
将会裁员160人的消息在该团体中____起了一阵骚动。
News of 160 redundancies had sent tremors through the community.
Example Sentences for 掀 (8)
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1
将会裁员160人的消息在该团体中掀起了一阵骚动。
jiāng huì cái yuán160 160 rén de xiāo xī zài gāi tuán tǐ zhōng xiān qǐ le yī zhèn sāo。
News of 160 redundancies had sent tremors through the community.
2
一阵狂风把铺在屋顶上的一块金属片掀起来了。
yī zhèn kuáng fēng bǎ pū zài wū dǐng shàng de yī kuài jīn shǔ piàn xiān qǐ lái le。
A gust of wind pried loose a section of sheet-metal roofing.
