Meanings of 纖
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Podcast: 纖
Podcast: 纖
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AI Study Notes for 纖
纖 (xiān) vs 細 (xì) — use 纖 for a focus on delicacy or fineness, while 細 emphasizes thinness or minuteness.
Be careful not to confuse 纖 with similar-sounding characters like 仙 (xiān), which means 'immortal.' 纖 is more commonly used in literary or poetic contexts. Common collocations include 纖維 (xiānwéi - fiber) and 纖細 (xiānsì - slender).
Although 纖 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is related to words at the HSK 4 level that discuss texture and quality, such as 細 (xì - fine). Focus on recognizing the character in reading contexts.
Learners often confuse 纖 (xiān) with 細 (xì), mistakenly using 細 when they mean delicate. For example, '這件衣服很細' should be '這件衣服很纖細' to convey 'This garment is very delicate.'
Pronunciation of 纖
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Jason Explains 纖 to You
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Etymology of 纖
Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 千 represents the sound. Simplified form of 纖.
silk
Origin
纖 = 糹 + 韱. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 纖
Parts
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How to say fine, delicate; tiny, minute in Chinese
“fine, delicate; tiny, minute” in Chinese is纖
The character 纖 (xiān) refers to something that is fine, delicate, or minute in nature. It is often used to describe thin threads, small details, or subtle qualities in various contexts, such as fabrics, art, and even emotions.
When to use 纖
Be careful not to confuse 纖 with similar-sounding characters like 仙 (xiān), which means 'immortal.' 纖 is more commonly used in literary or poetic contexts. Common collocations include 纖維 (xiānwéi - fiber) and 纖細 (xiānsì - slender).
纖 or something close to it
纖 (xiān) vs 細 (xì) — use 纖 for a focus on delicacy or fineness, while 細 emphasizes thinness or minuteness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 纖 (xiān) with 細 (xì), mistakenly using 細 when they mean delicate. For example, '這件衣服很細' should be '這件衣服很纖細' to convey 'This garment is very delicate.'
Write 纖
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Word Family of 纖
Words with 纖
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Frequently Asked Questions about 纖
The correct pronunciation is 'xiān' with a high level tone.
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