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March 24, 2026
熏(薰)xūn(xun1)
The character 熏 (xūn) primarily means 'to smoke' or 'to fumigate.' It refers to the process of infusing food or space with smoke, often to enhance flavor or preserve items. Additionally, it can imply a sense of fragrance or warmth, indicating both a literal and metaphorical influence on the senses.
Strokes14Radical灬Frequency#5473DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, smoking is a traditional technique used to enhance flavors, especially in dishes like smoked duck or tea-smoked eggs, which hold cultural significance in various regional cuisines.
Memory Tip
Imagine a warm, smoky kitchen where a delicious roast is being prepared. The '火' (fire) radical depicts warmth, while the '薰' (fragrance) component suggests the delightful aroma wafting through the air, helping you remember the sound 'xūn' and the meaning of enhancing senses.
Meanings of 熏
xūn(xun1)
1to smoke
2to fumigate
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 熏
熏Simplified
薰Traditional
14Strokes
灬Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5473Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 熏
Podcast: 熏
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AI Study Notes for 熏
Quick Contrast
熏 (xūn) vs 烟熏 (yān xūn) — use 熏 for the general act of smoking, while 烟熏 specifically refers to smoking with smoke as the primary medium.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a warm, smoky kitchen where a delicious roast is being prepared. The '火' (fire) radical depicts warmth, while the '薰' (fragrance) component suggests the delightful aroma wafting through the air, helping you remember the sound 'xūn' and the meaning of enhancing senses.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone, as a mispronunciation can lead to misunderstandings. This verb is often used in culinary contexts or when discussing methods of preservation. Common collocations include '熏肉' (smoked meat) and '熏香' (fragrance).
HSK Study Tips
As this character is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, students should focus on its components and meanings in the context of culinary terms. Relate it to other HSK words about cooking or sensory experiences to build connections.
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, smoking is a traditional technique used to enhance flavors, especially in dishes like smoked duck or tea-smoked eggs, which hold cultural significance in various regional cuisines.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 熏 with similar-sounding words. For example, using '熏' (to smoke) in contexts where '香' (fragrance) is more appropriate. Always check the context to ensure you are conveying the correct meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 熏
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Grammar Patterns of 熏
熏 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
用你最喜欢的香味____香你的抽屉和衣柜。
Scent your drawers and wardrobe with your favourite aromas.
Example Sentences for 熏 (10)
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1
用你最喜欢的香味熏香你的抽屉和衣柜。
yòng nǐ zuì xǐ huān de xiāng wèi xūn xiāng nǐ de chōu tì hé yī guì。
Scent your drawers and wardrobe with your favourite aromas.
Discard the bacon rind and cut each rasher in half.
7
腐烂的鱼臭气熏天
fǔ làn de yú chòu qì xūn tiān
an overpowering stench of rotting fish
8
熏大马哈鱼——馐馔之福啊!
xūn dà mǎ hā yú—— —— xiū zhuàn zhī fú!
Smoked salmon — what a treat!
9
他的眼睛被香烟熏得直流泪。
tā de yǎn jīng bèi xiāng yān xūn dé zhí liú lèi。
His eyes watered from cigarette smoke.
10
她那廉价香水甜腻熏人的气味一下子包围了他。
tā nà lián jià xiāng shuǐ tián nì xūn rén de qì wèi yī xià zǐ bāo wéi le tā。
Her cheap, cloying scent enveloped him.
Cultural Notes for 熏
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese cuisine, smoking is a traditional technique used to enhance flavors, especially in dishes like smoked duck or tea-smoked eggs, which hold cultural significance in various regional cuisines.
Word Family of 熏
Compounds14
醺xun1drunk, intoxicated
薰xun1a medicinal herb; to cauterize
燻xun1smoke, scent; to smoke, to cure
薫
壎
曛xun1twilight; sunset
獯Xun1barbarians; a tribe of Scythian nomads
纁
臐
勳xun1dead, feat; merit, rank
嚑
櫄
矄
鑂
Words Containing This Character12
熏xūnwarm薰
熏肉bacon燻肉
熏陶xūntáoto seep in薰陶
熏蒸to fumigate燻蒸
利欲熏心blinded by greed (idiom)利慾薰心
臭气熏天overwhelming stench (idiom)臭氣熏天
熏染to nurture
熏制to smoke
烟熏火燎smoke and baking fire (idiom); surrounded by flames and smoke煙燻火燎
熏蒸剂fumigant燻蒸劑
权欲熏心power-hungry權慾薰心
臭熏熏stinking臭燻燻
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 醺 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 熏
You can use it like this: '我喜欢熏肉' (I like smoked meat).
No, it can also refer to the act of perfuming or creating a fragrant atmosphere.
熏 specifically refers to the process of smoking or fumigating, while 烟 (yān) means smoke in general.
