Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
縴 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
縴qiàntow ropezg, 17 strokes, radical 糹
qiàn(qian4)qian T4
  1. 1tow rope
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

縴qiàn(qian4)

The character 縴 (qiàn) refers to a tow rope or cord, typically used for pulling or towing objects. It is often used in contexts related to transportation, fishing, or outdoor activities where something needs to be towed or pulled along.

Strokes17Radical糹
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese fishing practices, 縴 (tow rope) was crucial for pulling in nets or boats, highlighting the importance of fishing in Chinese culture and its historical significance in many coastal communities.

Memory Tip

Imagine a strong, thick rope (the character's form) that is used to pull a large boat across the water. The pronunciation 'qiàn' can be remembered by associating it with the sound of the rope being pulled tight, creating the image of movement and strength.

Meanings of 縴

qiàn(qian4)
1tow rope
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 縴 means.

About 縴

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

Podcast: 縴

JasonAmy

Podcast: 縴

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 縴

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 縴 with similar characters like 绳 (shéng), which means rope in general. 縴 is more specific to towing, so be mindful of the context in which you use it. This term is more commonly used in informal contexts.

HSK Study Tips

While 縴 is not currently included in the HSK, understanding this character can enhance your vocabulary related to transportation and outdoor activities. Focus on recognizing the character components, especially the radical that indicates it is related to textiles or ropes.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 縴 with 绳 (rope) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我用绳子縴车' (I use a rope to tow the car) is incorrect; instead, use '我用縴绳子拉车' (I use a tow rope to pull the car).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 縴

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 縴 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 縴 to You

Let me explain 縴 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 縴 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 縴?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 縴 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 縴

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 千 represents the sound. Simplified form of 纖.

Memory Hint

A thread 糹 used to pull 牽 boats; 牽 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 縴?

Decomposition of 縴

IDS Structure⿰糹牽
縴Full Character
=
糹si1
left
牽qian1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 縴?

How to say tow rope in Chinese

“tow rope” in Chinese is縴qiàn

The character 縴 (qiàn) refers to a tow rope or cord, typically used for pulling or towing objects. It is often used in contexts related to transportation, fishing, or outdoor activities where something needs to be towed or pulled along.

When to use 縴

Learners often confuse 縴 with similar characters like 绳 (shéng), which means rope in general. 縴 is more specific to towing, so be mindful of the context in which you use it. This term is more commonly used in informal contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 縴 with 绳 (rope) and use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我用绳子縴车' (I use a rope to tow the car) is incorrect; instead, use '我用縴绳子拉车' (I use a tow rope to pull the car).

Write 縴

縴

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 縴?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 縴

Words Containing This Character20
纤维xiānwéifiber纖維
纤qiànfine纖
光纤optical fiber光纖
纤细fine纖細
化纤huàxiānsynthetic fiber化纖
纤维素cellulose纖維素
纤弱fragile纖弱
纤纤slim纖纖
神经纤维neurofibril神經纖維
合成纤维synthetic fiber合成纖維
肌纤维muscle fiber肌纖維
玻璃纤维fiberglass玻璃纖維
纤夫burlak (barge hauler)縴夫
纤毛cilium纖毛
纤瘦slender纖瘦
纤巧delicate纖巧
纤手delicate hands纖手
人造纤维synthetic fiber人造纖維
化学纤维synthetic fiber化學纖維
原纤维fibril原纖維
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 縴

What does 纤维 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 縴

Common phrases may include expressions related to towing or pulling, such as '用绳子縴' (to tow with a rope).

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 縴?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab