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March 24, 2026
弮juàn(juan4)
The character 弮 (juàn) refers to a type of repeating crossbow used in ancient China, known for its ability to shoot multiple arrows in quick succession. It can also mean a curled-up scroll, reflecting its historical usage in archery and literature. While not commonly used in modern Mandarin, it represents significant elements of Chinese martial and literary history.
Strokes9Radical弓Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The repeating crossbow played a crucial role in ancient Chinese warfare, showcasing the ingenuity of Chinese technology. The character 弮 embodies the blend of martial prowess and literary tradition in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 弮 as a crossbow (弓) that has a 'repeating' mechanism (the inner components resemble a series of arrows lined up). Imagine a skilled archer quickly releasing arrows from this bow, which helps you remember both the sound 'juàn' and the meaning related to archery.
Meanings of 弮
juàn(juan4)
primary
1a repeating crossbow
2crossbow (arch.)
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About 弮
弮Simplified
9Strokes
弓Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 弮
Podcast: 弮
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AI Study Notes for 弮
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the character 弮 as a crossbow (弓) that has a 'repeating' mechanism (the inner components resemble a series of arrows lined up). Imagine a skilled archer quickly releasing arrows from this bow, which helps you remember both the sound 'juàn' and the meaning related to archery.
Usage Notes
This character is considered archaic and primarily used in historical texts. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with 卷 (juàn), which means 'to roll' or 'to scroll.' Use 弮 in contexts discussing historical weaponry or literature, but avoid using it in everyday conversation.
HSK Study Tips
While 弮 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be associated with HSK Level 3 words related to weapons and history. Students should focus on understanding its historical context rather than practical usage, making connections with characters like 卷 (juàn) for better retention.
Cultural Note
The repeating crossbow played a crucial role in ancient Chinese warfare, showcasing the ingenuity of Chinese technology. The character 弮 embodies the blend of martial prowess and literary tradition in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 弮 with 卷 due to their similar pronunciations and forms. For example, saying '我有一个弮' (I have a juàn) to mean 'I have a scroll' is incorrect; the correct term would be 卷.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 弮
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Cultural Notes for 弮
🏮Cultural insight
The repeating crossbow played a crucial role in ancient Chinese warfare, showcasing the ingenuity of Chinese technology. The character 弮 embodies the blend of martial prowess and literary tradition in Chinese culture.
Frequently Asked Questions about 弮
No, 弮 is an archaic term and is rarely used in contemporary language.
Focus on the context: 弮 refers specifically to a type of crossbow, while 卷 relates to rolling or curling.
There are no common phrases, as 弮 is mostly found in historical texts.
