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纂 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
zuǎnto edit, to compile; to tie a knotg, 20 strokes, radical 糸, rank #49746, Very Hard
zuǎnred silk ribbonunknown, 20 strokes, radical 糸, rank #49746, Very Hard
zuǎn(zuan3) T3
  1. 1to edit, to compile; to tie a knot
  2. 2red silk ribbon
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(篹)zuǎn(zuan3)

The character 纂 (zuǎn) primarily means 'to edit' or 'to compile,' often in the context of texts or documents. It can also refer to tying a knot or the use of red silk ribbon, which has cultural significance in various ceremonies, especially weddings. The character embodies both the act of organizing information and the physical act of binding or tying.

Strokes20RadicalFrequency#49746DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the use of red silk ribbons often symbolizes good luck and is prominently featured in celebrations like weddings. The character 纂, implying the binding of texts, connects to the historical importance of literature and education in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a red ribbon (the meaning of 纂) being tightly tied in a knot (the second meaning), which symbolizes the careful editing and compiling of important texts. The character's top part 纟 (silk) hints at its connection to textiles, relating to the red silk ribbon.

Meanings of 纂

zuǎn(zuan3)
1to edit, to compile; to tie a knot
2red silk ribbon
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 纂

Simplified
Traditional
20Strokes
Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 纂

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AI Study Notes for 纂

Quick Contrast

编 (biān) - use 纂 (zuǎn) when emphasizing the editing or compiling of texts in a formal context, while 编 (biān) is more general for compiling or weaving.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a red ribbon (the meaning of 纂) being tightly tied in a knot (the second meaning), which symbolizes the careful editing and compiling of important texts. The character's top part 纟 (silk) hints at its connection to textiles, relating to the red silk ribbon.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 纂, as it is pronounced with a falling-rising tone (zuǎn). This character is more formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation, so it's often found in literary or academic contexts. Ensure to use it correctly in the context of editing or compiling documents.

HSK Study Tips

While 纂 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to other characters related to editing and organization, such as 编辑 (biānjí, to edit). Focus on understanding its usage in formal writing and its components, which can aid in remembering words related to literature and documentation.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the use of red silk ribbons often symbolizes good luck and is prominently featured in celebrations like weddings. The character 纂, implying the binding of texts, connects to the historical importance of literature and education in Chinese society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 纂 with similar characters like 纏 (chán), which means to twist or coil. A common mistake is using 纂 in informal contexts where simpler words would suffice; for example, saying '我想纂这个文章' (I want to edit this article) instead of '我想编辑这个文章' (I want to edit this article).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 纂

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Etymology of 纂

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

Phonosemantic compound. 糸 represents the meaning and 算 represents the sound. Simplified form of 篹.

Memory Hint

thread

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 纂?

Decomposition of 纂

IDS Structure⿱算糸
Full Character
=
suan4
top
mi4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 纂?

Write 纂

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

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Grammar Patterns of 纂

纂 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

他从事这本词典的编____工作已达10年之久.

He has been engaged 10 years on the dictionary.

Example Sentences for 纂 (1)

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1
他从事这本词典的编纂工作已达10年之久.

tā cóng shì zhè běn cí diǎn de biān zuǎn gōng zuò yǐ dá10 10 nián zhī.

He has been engaged 10 years on the dictionary.

Cultural Notes for 纂

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the use of red silk ribbons often symbolizes good luck and is prominently featured in celebrations like weddings. The character 纂, implying the binding of texts, connects to the historical importance of literature and education in Chinese society.

Word Family of 纂

Words Containing This Character3
编纂to compile編纂
zuǎnto compile
纂修to compile
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 编纂 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 纂

纂 can mean to edit, to compile, and also refers to tying a knot or using a red silk ribbon.