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繭 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
繭jiǎncocoon; callus, blisterx, 19 strokes, radical 糹
jiǎn(jian3)jian T3
  1. 1cocoon; callus, blister
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March 24, 2026

繭jiǎn(jian3)

The character 繭 (jiǎn) primarily means 'cocoon,' referring to the protective casing spun by silkworms during their pupal stage. It can also denote 'callus' or 'blister,' emphasizing the idea of a protective layer formed in response to irritation or injury. This word is commonly used in contexts related to silk production and natural processes.

Strokes19Radical糹
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, silk has historically been a symbol of luxury and refinement, with the production of silk being a significant part of China's heritage. The character 繭 is thus tied to the traditional silk industry, which played a crucial role in the ancient Silk Road trade.

Memory Tip

Imagine a silkworm spinning a cozy home for itself, creating a soft, protective cocoon around its body. The character 繭 looks like a layered shell, representing the layers of silk that form the cocoon, and the pronunciation 'jiǎn' can be remembered by thinking of a 'gentle' home for the silkworm.

Meanings of 繭

jiǎn(jian3)
1cocoon; callus, blister
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 繭

繭Simplified
19Strokes
糹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 繭

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Podcast: 繭

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AI Study Notes for 繭

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 繭 (jiǎn) with the similar-sounding character 館 (guǎn), which means 'building' or 'establishment.' This word is more commonly used in written contexts or discussions about nature and silk, so avoid using it in overly casual conversations. The tone is important; remember it's a third tone, 'jiǎn.'

HSK Study Tips

Although 繭 is not currently on the HSK list, it connects well with other HSK words related to nature and textiles, like 织 (zhī, to weave) and 绸 (chóu, silk). Focus on recognizing it in context, especially in reading about agriculture or textile industries.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 繭 (jiǎn) with the character for 'egg' (蛋, dàn) due to the similar sound. Remember that 繭 relates to silk and cocoon rather than food. Another common mistake is using it in casual conversation where a simpler term might suffice.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 繭

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Etymology of 繭

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A silk 糹 cocoon 冂 spun by a worm 虫

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 繭?

Decomposition of 繭

IDS Structure⿱艹⿻冂⿰糹虫
繭Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
冂jiong1
outer
糹si1
left
虫chong2
right
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 繭?

How to say cocoon; callus, blister in Chinese

“cocoon; callus, blister” in Chinese is繭jiǎn

The character 繭 (jiǎn) primarily means 'cocoon,' referring to the protective casing spun by silkworms during their pupal stage. It can also denote 'callus' or 'blister,' emphasizing the idea of a protective layer formed in response to irritation or injury. This word is commonly used in contexts related to silk production and natural processes.

When to use 繭

Be careful not to confuse 繭 (jiǎn) with the similar-sounding character 館 (guǎn), which means 'building' or 'establishment.' This word is more commonly used in written contexts or discussions about nature and silk, so avoid using it in overly casual conversations. The tone is important; remember it's a third tone, 'jiǎn.'

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 繭 (jiǎn) with the character for 'egg' (蛋, dàn) due to the similar sound. Remember that 繭 relates to silk and cocoon rather than food. Another common mistake is using it in casual conversation where a simpler term might suffice.

Write 繭

繭

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

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Word Family of 繭

Words Containing This Character5
茧jiǎncocoon繭
老茧also 老趼老繭
作茧自缚hoist by his own petard作繭自縛
茧子also 趼子繭子
蚕茧silkworm cocoon蠶繭
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 繭

What does 茧 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 繭

Both 繭 (jiǎn) and 茧 (jiǎn) mean 'cocoon,' but 繭 is the more common term used in modern contexts, while 茧 can be more literary or poetic.

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