绢

絹

juàn

纟 + 肙

Definitions

juàn thin, tough silk fabric

Etymology phono-semantic

silk

Semantic: 纟 Phonetic: 肙

About

绢 (juàn) is a phono-semantic compound: the semantic radical 纟 (sī) signifies silk or textiles, while the phonetic component 肙 (yuān) provides the pronunciation. Its traditional form is 絹, with the unsimplified radical 糸. Originally, the character denoted a specific type of thick, tough, unbleached silk fabric common in historical textile production. Over time, its meaning expanded to include fine silk used for painting and calligraphy, making it synonymous with traditional silk scrolls, handkerchiefs, and delicate fabric crafts.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她的手绢很干净。

Tā de shǒujuàn hěn gānjìng.

Her handkerchief is very clean.

这块绢布颜色很鲜艳。

Zhè kuài juànbù yánsè hěn xiānyàn.

This piece of silk cloth has a very bright color.

姐姐用绢做了一个蝴蝶结。

Jiějie yòng juàn zuò le yīgè húdiéjié.

My older sister made a bow using silk.

这把古雅的绢扇很精美。

Zhè bǎ gǔyǎ de juànshàn hěn jīngměi.

This elegant silk fan is very exquisite.

他用绢仔细地擦拭眼镜。

Tā yòng juàn zǐxì de cāshì yǎnjìng.

He carefully wiped his glasses with a silk cloth.

这幅画是画在绢上的。

Zhè fú huà shì huà zài juàn shàng de.

This painting is done on silk.

博物馆收藏着宋代的绢本画。

Bówùguǎn shōucáng zhe Sòng dài de juànběn huà.

The museum houses a silk scroll painting from the Song Dynasty.

她心地柔软，心似绢般纯洁。

Tā xīndì róuruǎn, xīn sì juàn bān chúnjié.

She has a soft heart, as pure as silk.

Related Characters

Component: 纟

Component: 肙

绢