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March 24, 2026
寻(尋)xún(xun2)
The character 寻 (xún) means 'to search' or 'to look for.' It is commonly used in contexts involving seeking out something, whether it's information, a person, or a physical object. This character can also imply a deeper quest or pursuit, such as searching for one's purpose or place in life.
Strokes6Radical彐Frequency#3820DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and poetry, the concept of seeking (寻) often symbolizes a journey of self-discovery or the pursuit of knowledge, reflecting the value placed on wisdom and personal growth in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a detective (寻) using a magnifying glass to search for clues. The character has the radical 寸 (cùn), meaning 'inch,' suggesting the idea of searching closely or inching forward in a quest. Visualize the detective inching closer to the truth with each search.
Meanings of 寻
xún(xun2)
1to search
2to look for
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 寻
寻Simplified
尋Traditional
6Strokes
彐Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#3820Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 寻
Podcast: 寻
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AI Study Notes for 寻
Quick Contrast
寻找 (xúnzhǎo) vs 寻找 (xúnzhǎo) — use 寻 when emphasizing the act of searching itself, while 寻找 is more common in everyday language.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a detective (寻) using a magnifying glass to search for clues. The character has the radical 寸 (cùn), meaning 'inch,' suggesting the idea of searching closely or inching forward in a quest. Visualize the detective inching closer to the truth with each search.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 寻 with similar-sounding words like 询 (xún), which means 'to inquire.' 寻 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in phrases like 寻找 (xúnzhǎo, 'to seek') and 寻求 (xúnqiú, 'to seek out'). Pay attention to the tone, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 寻 is not included in the official HSK levels, it connects with HSK 3 vocabulary like 找 (zhǎo, 'to find') and 询 (xún, 'to inquire'). Learners should focus on collocations and how to use 寻 in sentences to improve fluency.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and poetry, the concept of seeking (寻) often symbolizes a journey of self-discovery or the pursuit of knowledge, reflecting the value placed on wisdom and personal growth in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 寻 with similar characters and mistakenly use it in contexts that require a different verb. For example, saying '我寻一个地方' (Wǒ xún yīgè dìfāng) should be corrected to '我找一个地方' (Wǒ zhǎo yīgè dìfāng) for 'I am looking for a place.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 寻
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Grammar Patterns of 寻
寻 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
你应该为了自己____求专业人士的帮助。
You owe it to yourself to get some professional help.
Common Confusions with 寻
寻vs醒
xǐng
Similar pronunciation but different meaning.
寻vs循
xún
Same pronunciation but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to search"?
or
Example Sentences for 寻 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你应该为了自己寻求专业人士的帮助。
nǐ yīng gāi wéi le zì jǐ xún qiú zhuān yè rén shì de bāng zhù。
You owe it to yourself to get some professional help.
2
我问麦基翁重聚是不是为了寻求解脱。
wǒ wèn mài jī wēng zhòng jù shì bù shì wéi le xún qiú jiě tuō。
I asked McKeown if the reunion was meant to achieve closure.
Fusilier Jones ran towards the Ops Room to find his lieutenant.
6
然而现在他就在这里，在绝境中寻求联盟。
rán ér xiàn zài tā jiù zài zhè lǐ， ， zài jué jìng zhōng xún qiú lián。
Yet now he was here, in extremis, to seek an alliance.
7
他们呈扇形散开，在寺庙周围仔细搜寻。
tā mén chéng shàn xíng sàn kāi， ， zài sì miào zhōu wéi zī xì sōu。
They fanned out and carefully combed the temple grounds.
8
那种方法不奏效的时候，他们有时会想到要寻求帮助。
nà zhǒng fāng fǎ bù zòu xiào de shí hòu， ， tā mén yǒu shí huì xiǎng dào yào xún qiú bāng。
When that doesn't work they sometimes have the sense to seek help.
9
在几个小时漫无目的的搜寻之后，他们快没燃料了。
zài jī gè xiǎo shí màn wú mù de de sōu xún zhī hòu， ， tā mén kuài méi rán liào。
After several hours of aimless searching they were getting low on fuel.
10
皮兰德娄把他的戏剧命名为《六个寻找作者的剧中人》。
pí lán dé lóu bǎ tā de xì jù mìng míng wéi《 《 liù gè xún zhǎo zuò zhě de jù zhōng》。
Pirandello titled his play "Six Characters in Search of an Author"
Cultural Notes for 寻
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature and poetry, the concept of seeking (寻) often symbolizes a journey of self-discovery or the pursuit of knowledge, reflecting the value placed on wisdom and personal growth in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 寻
Compounds6
鲟xun2sturgeon
荨xun2nettle
彟yue1to measure; to calculate
挦
浔xun2steep river bank
桪
Words Containing This Character20
寻找xúnzhǎoto seek尋找
寻xúnto search尋
寻求xúnqiúto seek尋求
寻常xúnchángusual尋常
搜寻sōuxúnto search搜尋
找寻to look for找尋
追寻to pursue追尋
寻觅xúnmìto look for尋覓
探寻to search探尋
寻思to consider尋思
耐人寻味nàirénxúnwèithought-provoking耐人尋味
寻死to attempt suicide尋死
寻访to inquire after尋訪
寻欢作乐pleasure seeking (idiom); life of dissipation尋歡作樂
寻开心to make fun of尋開心
寻宝treasure hunt尋寶
异乎寻常unusual異乎尋常
寻衅to pick a quarrel尋釁
自寻烦恼to bring trouble on oneself (idiom)自尋煩惱
寻呼机pager尋呼機
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 鲟 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 寻
Yes, 寻 (xún) can be used in idiomatic expressions such as '寻死觅活' (xún sǐ mì huó), which means to live in despair or seek death. This expression conveys a sense of hopelessness and highlights how the character can be used in more complex phrases beyond just searching.
Some synonyms for 寻 (xún) include 找 (zhǎo), which means 'to find', and 探 (tàn), which means 'to explore or probe'. While all these words relate to searching, each has its nuances depending on the context in which they're used.
寻 (xún) means 'to search', 'to look for', or 'to seek' in Chinese. It is often used in contexts where someone is trying to find something, whether it's a physical object or an abstract concept. The character is commonly found in phrases related to searching or seeking out information.
You can use 寻 (xún) in sentences like '我在寻我的书' (Wǒ zài xún wǒ de shū), which means 'I am looking for my book'. It can also be used in more complex phrases, such as '寻求帮助' (xúnqiú bāngzhù), meaning 'to seek help'. Understanding the context is key when using this character.
No, 寻 can also be used for searching for abstract concepts, such as love, truth, or purpose.
Common phrases include 寻找 (xúnzhǎo, 'to search for') and 寻求 (xúnqiú, 'to seek out').
Ensure you use the second tone, which rises slightly, as in xún.
