Definitions

juān (adjective) beautiful; graceful

Etymology phono-semantic

woman

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "娟" is etymologically composed of the radical "女" denoting woman and the phonetic component "肙", which historically guided its pronunciation while contributing to its association with delicate form. Initially employed in classical literature to depict slender and elegant feminine attributes, its semantic focus has consistently centered on aesthetic refinement, though over centuries its usage expanded to convey a more generalized sense of beauty without losing its intrinsic link to gracefulness. The structure of the character has persisted without alteration, and it remains a common element in personal names and poetic language to suggest a quiet and polished elegance.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

是我的好朋友。

Xiǎo Juān shì wǒ de hǎo péngyou.

Xiao Juan is my good friend.

在图书馆看书。

Juānjuān zài túshūguǎn kànshū.

Juanjuan is reading in the library.

她的字写得很秀。

Tā de zì xiě de hěn juānxiù.

Her handwriting is very elegant.

喜欢喝咖啡。

Wáng Juān xǐhuān hē kāfēi.

Wang Juan likes to drink coffee.

子每天早起锻炼。

Juānzi měitiān zǎoqǐ duànliàn.

Juanzi exercises early every day.

这幅画的风格很丽。

Zhè fú huà de fēnggé hěn juānlì.

The style of this painting is very graceful.

秀的仪表令人印象深刻。

Tā juānxiù de yíbiǎo lìng rén yìnxiàng shēnkè.

Her elegant appearance is impressive.

在月光下,她的身影显得格外好。

Zài yuèguāng xià, tā de shēnyǐng xiǎndé géwài juānhǎo.

Under the moonlight, her figure appears especially graceful.