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籼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
籼xiānnon-glutinous long-grain ricen, 9 strokes, radical 米
籼xiānlong-grained riceunknown, 9 strokes, radical 米
籼xiānsame as 秈unknown, 9 strokes, radical 米
xiān(xian1) T1
  1. 1non-glutinous long-grain rice
  2. 2long-grained rice
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March 24, 2026

籼xiān(xian1)

The character 籼 (xiān) refers to a type of non-glutinous long-grain rice, commonly used in various Chinese dishes. It is known for its fluffy texture and is often favored for its ability to remain separate when cooked. This rice is particularly popular in southern regions of China, where rice is a staple food.

Strokes9Radical米
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, rice is considered a staple food and an essential part of daily meals. The preference for non-glutinous rice over glutinous rice in certain regions highlights local agricultural practices and culinary traditions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a long strand of rice hanging in the air, like a tightrope walker (the character 籼 looks like a long line with a balance on top). The sound 'xiān' can be remembered as 'sheen', reflecting the shiny appearance of polished long-grain rice.

Meanings of 籼

xiān(xian1)
1non-glutinous long-grain rice
2long-grained rice
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 籼

籼Simplified
9Strokes
米Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 籼

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Podcast: 籼

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AI Study Notes for 籼

Usage Notes

Learners should note that 籼 is a more specific term and might not be widely recognized in all contexts, as it is often referred to as 秈 in modern usage. It is used in agricultural discussions and culinary contexts, so ensure you adapt your vocabulary accordingly.

HSK Study Tips

Although 籼 does not appear in HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can be beneficial for food-related discussions, especially at higher HSK levels. Students should focus on recognizing how it fits into the broader category of rice types, as well as its pronunciation.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is confusing 籼 with glutinous rice terms like 糯米 (nuòmǐ). For instance, saying 籼 for sticky rice is incorrect; instead, use 糯米 when referring to glutinous rice.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 籼

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Etymology of 籼

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

rice

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

Origin

籼 = 米 + 山. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 籼

IDS Structure⿰米山
籼Full Character
=
米Mi3
left
山Shan1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 籼?

How to say non-glutinous long-grain rice in Chinese

“non-glutinous long-grain rice” in Chinese is籼xiān

The character 籼 (xiān) refers to a type of non-glutinous long-grain rice, commonly used in various Chinese dishes. It is known for its fluffy texture and is often favored for its ability to remain separate when cooked. This rice is particularly popular in southern regions of China, where rice is a staple food.

When to use 籼

Learners should note that 籼 is a more specific term and might not be widely recognized in all contexts, as it is often referred to as 秈 in modern usage. It is used in agricultural discussions and culinary contexts, so ensure you adapt your vocabulary accordingly.

What learners get wrong

A common mistake is confusing 籼 with glutinous rice terms like 糯米 (nuòmǐ). For instance, saying 籼 for sticky rice is incorrect; instead, use 糯米 when referring to glutinous rice.

Write 籼

籼

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

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Word Family of 籼

Words Containing This Character3
籼xiānsame as 秈
籼稻long-grained rice (Indian rice, as opposed to round-grained rice)
籼米long-grained rice (Indian rice, as opposed to round-grained rice 粳米[jīng​mǐ])
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 籼

What does 籼稻 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 籼

Yes, 籼 is often used interchangeably with 秈, referring to non-glutinous long-grain rice.

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