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榇 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
榇chèncoffin; tung treeg, 13 strokes, radical 木
榇chènSterculia plantanifoliaunknown, 13 strokes, radical 木
chèn(chen4) T4
  1. 1coffin; tung tree
  2. 2Sterculia plantanifolia
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March 24, 2026

榇(櫬)chèn(chen4)

The character 榇 (chèn) primarily refers to a coffin, particularly one made of wood. It is often used in contexts related to funerals or burials, reflecting the cultural significance of honoring the deceased in Chinese society. Additionally, it can refer to certain types of trees, such as the tung tree, which is associated with wood used for making coffins.

Strokes13Radical木
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, coffins are often elaborately crafted and decorated, reflecting the belief in honoring the deceased and ensuring a proper journey in the afterlife. The use of specific terms like 榇 highlights the cultural sensitivity surrounding death.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large wooden coffin (榇) carved from the trunk of a tree (木). The shape of the character resembles a tree with a sturdy base, symbolizing the connection between life (the tree) and death (the coffin). Remember that 'chèn' sounds like 'chen' in 'casket' to link the sound with its meaning.

Meanings of 榇

chèn(chen4)
1coffin; tung tree
2Sterculia plantanifolia
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 榇

榇Simplified
櫬Traditional
13Strokes
木Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 榇

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Podcast: 榇

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AI Study Notes for 榇

Usage Notes

榇 is a formal term and is primarily used in literary or ceremonial contexts related to funerals. A common mistake is to confuse it with more colloquial terms for coffin, which may not carry the same weight of respect. Be cautious of using it in casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

While 榇 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with themes of death and respect for ancestors, which are important in Chinese culture. Students at higher levels should focus on its usage in literature and formal writing, as well as recognizing synonyms.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 榇 with simpler terms for coffin, like 棺材 (guāncái). For instance, using 榇 in a casual conversation about funerals may come off as overly formal or inappropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 榇

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Etymology of 榇

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

wood

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 榇

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half亲 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywood
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 榇? 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 榇?

Decomposition of 榇

IDS Structure⿰木亲
榇Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
亲qin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 榇?

How to say coffin; tung tree in Chinese

“coffin; tung tree” in Chinese is榇chèn

The character 榇 (chèn) primarily refers to a coffin, particularly one made of wood. It is often used in contexts related to funerals or burials, reflecting the cultural significance of honoring the deceased in Chinese society. Additionally, it can refer to certain types of trees, such as the tung tree, which is associated with wood used for making coffins.

When to use 榇

榇 is a formal term and is primarily used in literary or ceremonial contexts related to funerals. A common mistake is to confuse it with more colloquial terms for coffin, which may not carry the same weight of respect. Be cautious of using it in casual conversation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 榇 with simpler terms for coffin, like 棺材 (guāncái). For instance, using 榇 in a casual conversation about funerals may come off as overly formal or inappropriate.

Write 榇

榇

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

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Word Family of 榇

Words Containing This Character1
榇chèncoffin櫬
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 榇 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 榇

Use 榇 in formal contexts or literature, especially when discussing funerary practices.

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