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癇 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
癇xiánepilepsy, convulsionszg, 17 strokes, radical 疒
xián(xian2) T2
  1. 1epilepsy, convulsions
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

癇xián(xian2)

The character 癇 (xián) refers to epilepsy or convulsions, conditions that affect the nervous system and result in seizures. It is commonly used in medical contexts to describe neurological disorders characterized by sudden and uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain.

Strokes17Radical疒
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, neurological conditions like epilepsy have been understood differently compared to Western medicine, often seen as a balance issue in the body's energy (气). This perspective can influence treatment approaches in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Think of 癇 (xián) as a 'cursed hand' since its radicals imply a sickness affecting the brain. Picture someone experiencing convulsions as if their hands are shaking uncontrollably, which can help you remember the pronunciation and meaning.

Meanings of 癇

xián(xian2)
1epilepsy, convulsions
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 癇

癇Simplified
17Strokes
疒Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 癇

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Podcast: 癇

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 癇

Usage Notes

This term is primarily used in medical settings and may not be common in everyday conversation. Be cautious with its usage, as it can carry a serious connotation; avoid using it lightly. The tone is important: 'xián' is pronounced with a rising tone, which differentiates it from similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 癇 is not included in HSK levels, it connects to other medical terms and vocabulary related to health. Students should focus on related characters like 病 (bìng) for illness and 医 (yī) for doctor to build a broader health-related vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 癇 with other similar-sounding medical terms. For example, using 癇 instead of 病 (bìng) for general illness is incorrect; 癇 specifically refers to epilepsy.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 癇

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Etymology of 癇

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

sickness

Semantic (meaning)疒
+
Phonetic (sound)閒
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 癇

  1. 1The meaning half疒 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half閒 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaysickness
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 癇? 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 癇?

Decomposition of 癇

IDS Structure⿸疒閒
癇Full Character
=
疒ne4
enclosing
閒xian2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 癇?

How to say epilepsy, convulsions in Chinese

“epilepsy, convulsions” in Chinese is癇xián

The character 癇 (xián) refers to epilepsy or convulsions, conditions that affect the nervous system and result in seizures. It is commonly used in medical contexts to describe neurological disorders characterized by sudden and uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain.

When to use 癇

This term is primarily used in medical settings and may not be common in everyday conversation. Be cautious with its usage, as it can carry a serious connotation; avoid using it lightly. The tone is important: 'xián' is pronounced with a rising tone, which differentiates it from similar-sounding words.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 癇 with other similar-sounding medical terms. For example, using 癇 instead of 病 (bìng) for general illness is incorrect; 癇 specifically refers to epilepsy.

Write 癇

癇

Practice writing 癇 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 癇

Words Containing This Character3
癫痫epilepsy癲癇
痫xiánepilepsy癇
羊痫风epilepsy羊癇風
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 癫痫 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 癇

You might say 癇病患者需要接受医疗 (Patients with epilepsy need to receive medical attention).

Jason Recommends

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