Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
紋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
紋wénline, stripe; pattern, decoration; wrinklex, 10 strokes, radical 糹, rank #51723, Very Hard
wén(wen2) T2
  1. 1line, stripe; pattern, decoration; wrinkle
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

紋wén(wen2)

The character 紋 (wén) refers to a line or stripe, often denoting a decorative pattern or texture. It can also imply wrinkles or markings on the surface of an object. Commonly used in contexts related to design, textiles, and aesthetics, its meaning can vary slightly based on usage.

Strokes10Radical糹Frequency#51723DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the appreciation of patterns and designs is integral to art and textiles, such as in traditional silk fabrics where 紋 represents the intricate designs that tell stories or exhibit craftsmanship.

Memory Tip

Imagine a piece of fabric with beautiful patterns and stripes; the character 紋 looks like a series of lines woven together. Think of 'wen' as in 'when' you touch the fabric, you notice its intricate designs and any wrinkles that may form.

Meanings of 紋

wén(wen2)
1line, stripe; pattern, decoration; wrinkle
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 紋 means.

About 紋

紋Simplified
10Strokes
糹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 紋

JasonAmy

Podcast: 紋

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 紋

Quick Contrast

纹 (wén) vs 线 (xiàn) — choose 紋 for decorative patterns or textures, while 线 is more about lines in a geometric or structural sense.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 紋 (wén) with 文 (wén), which means 'culture' or 'literature.' This word is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but it often appears in artistic or technical discussions. Common collocations include 紋路 (wénlù - pattern or texture) and 紋理 (wénlǐ - texture).

HSK Study Tips

Although 紋 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it relates to other HSK words involving patterns or descriptions of texture. Students should focus on recognizing how it combines with other characters to form compound words.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 紋 (wén) with 文 (wén), leading to incorrect meanings like 'literature' instead of 'pattern.' Always remember, 紋 relates to visual designs, while 文 pertains to written culture.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 紋

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 紋 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 紋 to You

Let me explain 紋 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 紋 through them.

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

How Well Do You Know 紋?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 紋 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 紋

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

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 文 represents the sound. Simplified form of 紋.

Memory Hint

thread

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

Origin

紋 = 糹 + 文. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 紋

IDS Structure⿰糹文
紋Full Character
=
糹si1
left
文Wen2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 紋?

How to say line, stripe; pattern, decoration; wrinkle in Chinese

“line, stripe; pattern, decoration; wrinkle” in Chinese is紋wén

The character 紋 (wén) refers to a line or stripe, often denoting a decorative pattern or texture. It can also imply wrinkles or markings on the surface of an object. Commonly used in contexts related to design, textiles, and aesthetics, its meaning can vary slightly based on usage.

When to use 紋

Be careful not to confuse 紋 (wén) with 文 (wén), which means 'culture' or 'literature.' This word is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but it often appears in artistic or technical discussions. Common collocations include 紋路 (wénlù - pattern or texture) and 紋理 (wénlǐ - texture).

紋 or something close to it

纹 (wén) vs 线 (xiàn) — choose 紋 for decorative patterns or textures, while 线 is more about lines in a geometric or structural sense.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 紋 (wén) with 文 (wén), leading to incorrect meanings like 'literature' instead of 'pattern.' Always remember, 紋 relates to visual designs, while 文 pertains to written culture.

Write 紋

紋

Practice writing 紋 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 紋?

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 紋

Words Containing This Character20
纹wénline紋
指纹fingerprint指紋
皱纹zhòuwénwrinkle皺紋
条纹stripe條紋
花纹huāwéndecorative design花紋
裂纹crack裂紋
纹理grain (in wood etc)紋理
波纹ripple波紋
纹路wrinkles紋路
螺纹spiral pattern螺紋
纹丝不动to not move a single jot (idiom)紋絲不動
纹饰figure紋飾
斑纹stripe斑紋
鱼尾纹crow's feet魚尾紋
横纹肌striated muscle橫紋肌
罗纹rib (in fabric)羅紋
笑纹laugh lines (on the face)笑紋
平纹plain weave平紋
龙纹dragon (as a decorative design)龍紋
纹银fine silver紋銀
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 紋

What does 纹 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 紋

Common phrases include 紋理 (wénlǐ - texture) and 紋路 (wénlù - pattern).

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 紋?

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