HSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #7923, Hard
shuān(shuan1) T1
1to fasten, to bind
2to tie up
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
拴shuān(shuan1)
The character 拴 (shuān) means 'to fasten or bind something,' typically in the context of tying objects together or securing them in place. It is often used when discussing ropes, strings, or fastening items like animals to a post.
Strokes9Radical扌Frequency#7923DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In rural China, the practice of 拴 (tying up) animals like cows or goats is common, reflecting agricultural traditions and the importance of securing livestock.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong hand (the radical 扌) tying a rope (the component 缚) to secure a package. The sound 'shuān' can be remembered by associating it with the action of tying up something tightly, as if you're saying 'shoo, I’ve fastened it well!'
Meanings of 拴
shuān(shuan1)
1to fasten, to bind
2to tie up
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 拴
拴Simplified
9Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 拴
Podcast: 拴
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 拴
Quick Contrast
拴 (shuān) vs 绑 (bǎng) — use 拴 when emphasizing fastening in place, while 绑 focuses more on tying something together.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a strong hand (the radical 扌) tying a rope (the component 缚) to secure a package. The sound 'shuān' can be remembered by associating it with the action of tying up something tightly, as if you're saying 'shoo, I’ve fastened it well!'
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 拴 with similar characters like 系 (xì), which also means 'to tie,' but is more about connections or relationships. 拴 is more physical and practical, so use it in contexts involving actual binding. Watch out for tone; the correct pronunciation is crucial.
HSK Study Tips
Although 拴 is not part of the HSK curriculum, it represents a useful action verb that connects to other verbs in the HSK vocabulary related to actions (e.g., 绑 (bǎng) - to tie). Focus on understanding its usage in practical scenarios.
Cultural Note
In rural China, the practice of 拴 (tying up) animals like cows or goats is common, reflecting agricultural traditions and the importance of securing livestock.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 拴 in contexts where 系 (xì) is more appropriate, such as saying 拴关系 (shuān guānxì) instead of 系关系 (xì guānxì) for 'to tie a relationship.' Remember that 拴 is more about physical tying.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 拴
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 拴 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 拴 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 拴
拴 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 2 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 5
Complete the Sentence
他砰地一声关上门,把插销____好.
He slammed the door and drove the bolt home.
Example Sentences for 拴 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他砰地一声关上门,把插销拴好.
tā pēng dì yī shēng guān shàng mén, , bǎ chā xiāo shuān.
He slammed the door and drove the bolt home.
2
我关上门,拴上插销.
wǒ guān shàng mén, , shuān shàng chā.
I shut the door and fastened the bolt.
3
能不能请你去把你的马拴好？
néng bù néng qǐng nǐ qù bǎ nǐ de mǎ shuān hǎo？
Would you go and tie your horse up please.
4
杰克被一只没被拴住的狗追赶。
jié kè bèi yī zhī méi bèi shuān zhù de gǒu zhuī gǎn。
Jack was chased by a loose dog.
5
他们下了马，把马拴起来，把带来的粮食喂给它们吃。
tā mén xià le mǎ， ， bǎ mǎ shuān qǐ， lái ， bǎ dài lái de liáng shí wèi gěi tā。
They dismounted, tied up their horses and gave them the grain they had brought.
tā bǎ gǒu shuān zài le gōu páng de yī kē shù shàng。
He had tied the dog to one of the trees near the canal.
Cultural Notes for 拴
🏮Cultural insight
In rural China, the practice of 拴 (tying up) animals like cows or goats is common, reflecting agricultural traditions and the importance of securing livestock.
Word Family of 拴
Words Containing This Character2
拴shuānto tie up
拴住to tether
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 拴 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 拴
Common phrases might include 拴绳 (shuān shéng) meaning 'to tie a rope' or 拴住 (shuān zhù) meaning 'to secure'.
Yes, 拴 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in everyday language.
