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缓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
缓
huǎn
slow
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10636, Very Hard
缓
huǎn
unhurried
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10636, Very Hard
缓
huǎn
sluggish
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10636, Very Hard
缓
huǎn
gradual
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10636, Very Hard
缓
huǎn
not tense
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10636, Very Hard
缓
huǎn
relaxed
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10636, Very Hard
缓
huǎn
to postpone
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10636, Very Hard
缓
huǎn
to defer
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10636, Very Hard
缓
huǎn
to stall
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10636, Very Hard
缓
huǎn
to stave off
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10636, Very Hard
缓
huǎn
to revive
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10636, Very Hard
缓
huǎn
to recuperate
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10636, Very Hard
缓
huǎn
slow, gradual; to postpone, to delay
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10636, Very Hard
huǎn(huan3)huan T3
1slow
2unhurried
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
缓(緩)huǎn(huan3)
The character 缓 (huǎn) primarily means 'slow' or 'unhurried.' It is often used in contexts where something is done gradually or with a relaxed pace, such as recovering from illness or postponing a task. The nuance of this word conveys a sense of ease or lack of urgency.
Strokes12Radical纟Frequency#10636DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of taking things slow can be reflected in practices like Tai Chi, which emphasizes gradual movements and relaxation, contrasting with the fast-paced lifestyle often seen in Western contexts.
Memory tip
Imagine a turtle (the radical '纟' relates to thread or fabric) slowly weaving its way through a garden. The 'huǎn' sound can be remembered by thinking of a 'warm' day that encourages a leisurely stroll rather than a hurried race.
Meanings of 缓
huǎn(huan3)
1slow
2unhurried
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 缓 means.
About 缓
缓Simplified
緩Traditional
12Strokes
纟Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#10636Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 缓
Podcast: 缓
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AI study notes for 缓
Quick Contrast
缓 (huǎn) vs 迟 (chí) — use 缓 when emphasizing a relaxed pace, while 迟 focuses more on being late or delayed.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 缓 with other similar-sounding characters like 还 (hái, still) or 乱 (luàn, chaotic). This word is more formal and is often found in written contexts, such as in academic or professional discussions about processes that need to be done slowly or postponed.
HSK Study Tips
Although 缓 is not in HSK levels 1-6, it connects well with words about time and speed, such as 快 (kuài, fast) and 迟 (chí, late). Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe pace or the timing of events.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 缓 with 快 (kuài, fast), mistakenly saying '我想缓去' (Wǒ xiǎng huǎn qù, I want to go slowly), when they mean '快去' (kuài qù, go quickly). It's important to use it in the right context to convey the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 缓
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 缓 is seven skills, not one.
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缓 = 纟 + 爰. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 缓
IDS Structure⿰纟爰
缓Full character
=
纟si1
left
爰Yuan2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 缓?
How to say slow in Chinese
“slow” in Chinese is缓huǎn
The character 缓 (huǎn) primarily means 'slow' or 'unhurried.' It is often used in contexts where something is done gradually or with a relaxed pace, such as recovering from illness or postponing a task. The nuance of this word conveys a sense of ease or lack of urgency.
When to use 缓
Common mistakes include confusing 缓 with other similar-sounding characters like 还 (hái, still) or 乱 (luàn, chaotic). This word is more formal and is often found in written contexts, such as in academic or professional discussions about processes that need to be done slowly or postponed.
缓 or something close to it
缓 (huǎn) vs 迟 (chí) — use 缓 when emphasizing a relaxed pace, while 迟 focuses more on being late or delayed.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 缓 with 快 (kuài, fast), mistakenly saying '我想缓去' (Wǒ xiǎng huǎn qù, I want to go slowly), when they mean '快去' (kuài qù, go quickly). It's important to use it in the right context to convey the intended meaning.
Write 缓
缓
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Practice writing 缓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 缓
缓 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 13 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.
