HSK 3, n, 11 strokes, radical 舟, rank #739, Medium
chuán(chuan2) T2
1ship, boat, vessel
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March 24, 2026
船(舩)chuán(chuan2)
The character 船 (chuán) refers to a ship, boat, or vessel used for navigating water. It is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts, such as discussing transportation, fishing, or travel. The nuance of this term encompasses various types of watercraft, from small boats to large ships.
Strokes11Radical舟Frequency#739DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, rivers and waterways have historically played a crucial role in trade and transportation. The character 船 reflects this significance, as many cities have relied on boats for commerce and daily life, especially in regions with extensive river systems.
Memory Tip
Imagine a boat (船) sailing smoothly on water. The character 船 resembles a boat with its hull (the bottom part) and sails (the top part), helping you remember that it means 'boat' or 'ship.' The pronunciation 'chuán' can be linked to the sound of a boat's horn, signaling its presence on the water.
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AI Study Notes for 船
Quick Contrast
舟 (zhōu) refers specifically to a smaller boat or craft, while 船 (chuán) can refer to both small and large vessels.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a boat (船) sailing smoothly on water. The character 船 resembles a boat with its hull (the bottom part) and sails (the top part), helping you remember that it means 'boat' or 'ship.' The pronunciation 'chuán' can be linked to the sound of a boat's horn, signaling its presence on the water.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 船 (chuán) with similar-sounding words that have different meanings. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is essential to use the correct measure word when counting boats, which is '艘' (sōu). For example, '一艘船' (yī sōu chuán) means 'one boat.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 船 connects to other transportation-related vocabulary. Focus on how it can be combined with other words, such as '船票' (chuánpiào) for 'boat ticket' or '船长' (chuánzhǎng) for 'ship captain.' Familiarizing yourself with these collocations will enhance your fluency.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, rivers and waterways have historically played a crucial role in trade and transportation. The character 船 reflects this significance, as many cities have relied on boats for commerce and daily life, especially in regions with extensive river systems.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 船 with the wrong measure word, such as saying '一船' instead of '一艘船.' Remember, always use '艘' to count boats.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 船
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Grammar Patterns of 船
船 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
In Chinese culture, rivers and waterways have historically played a crucial role in trade and transportation. The character 船 reflects this significance, as many cities have relied on boats for commerce and daily life, especially in regions with extensive river systems.
Word Family of 船
Words Containing This Character20
船chuánboat
船长chuánzhǎngskipper船長
飞船fēichuánairship飛船
船员chuányuánsailor船員
船票ship ticket
船舶chuánbóshipping
船只chuánzhīship船隻
渔船yúchuánfishing boat漁船
帆船fānchuánsailboat
小船boat
轮船lúnchuánsteamship輪船
船队fleet (of ships)船隊
太空船spaceship
造船shipbuilding
划船huáchuánto row a boat
沉船shipwreck
上船to get on the boat
货船cargo ship貨船
船头the bow or prow of a ship船頭
船舱hold of ship船艙
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 船 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 船
船 (chuán) generally refers to any type of boat or ship, while 船舶 (chuánbó) specifically refers to larger vessels or ships used for commercial purposes. While they can be used interchangeably in casual conversation, 船舶 is more formal and is often used in nautical contexts.
船 is pronounced as 'chuán' in Mandarin. The 'ch' is pronounced similar to 'ch' in 'cheap,' and the 'uán' sounds like 'wahn' with a rising tone. Practicing with native speakers can help improve your pronunciation.
船 (chuán) means 'ship' or 'boat' in Chinese. It refers to any type of vessel used for transportation on water. This character is commonly used in various contexts related to travel and transport at sea.
To use 船 in a sentence, you can say something like '这艘船很大' (Zhè sōu chuán hěn dà), which translates to 'This ship is very big.' You can also combine it with other words, such as '渔船' (yú chuán), meaning 'fishing boat.'
The pronunciation is 'chuán', with a rising tone.
The measure word for boats is '艘' (sōu).
Yes, 船 can refer to various types of watercraft, but it is commonly understood as a boat or ship.
