Definitions

jiǎn (noun) letter; note; card
jiǎn (verb) select; choose
Jiǎn (noun) Cambodia (abbreviation)

Etymology

Two dots added to (bind; bunch). Based on the original meaning "condense, select", now written as . The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character "柬" structurally combines the element representing a bundle with a marker suggesting separation, an ideographic construction that originally conveyed the sense of selecting or choosing from among items. This inherent meaning of discrimination and choice gradually extended to denote a written document, specifically a formal letter or card, as such instruments were used to convey carefully selected information or invitations. The semantic shift from an abstract action to a concrete object reflects a natural linguistic progression, with the earlier sense of selection now largely dormant in contemporary usage, surviving primarily in certain classical derivatives or fixed expressions.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

放在桌子上。

Qǐng jiǎn fàng zài zhuō zi shàng.

The invitation card is on the table.

埔寨是一个国家。

Jiǎn pǔ zhài shì yī gè guó jiā.

Cambodia is a country.

我们需要准备请

Wǒ men xū yào zhǔn bèi qǐng jiǎn.

We need to prepare invitation cards.

埔寨有悠久的历史。

Jiǎn pǔ zhài yǒu yōu jiǔ de lì shǐ.

Cambodia has a long history.

的设计很精美。

Qǐng jiǎn de shè jì hěn jīng měi.

The design of the invitation card is very exquisite.

帖已经发出去了。

Jiǎn tiě yǐ jīng fā chū qù le.

The invitation notes have already been sent out.

埔寨的首都是金边。

Jiǎn pǔ zhài de shǒu dū shì jīn biān.

The capital of Cambodia is Phnom Penh.

我们打算下个月去埔寨旅游。

Wǒ men dǎ suàn xià gè yuè qù jiǎn pǔ zhài lǚ yóu.

We plan to travel to Cambodia next month.