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March 24, 2026
宣Xuān(Xuan1)
The character 宣 (xuān) primarily means 'to declare' or 'to announce' and is often used in contexts where something is made known to the public. It can also serve as a surname. In formal settings, it is used to indicate the act of proclaiming information or intentions.
Strokes9Radical宀Frequency#16750DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, public announcements, especially during festivals or significant events, often utilize this character. For example, 宣 is used in phrases like 宣布 (xuānbù, to announce) in official communications.
Memory Tip
Imagine a loudspeaker (which sounds like 'xuān') announcing important news to a crowd. The character features the radical for 'speech' (言), emphasizing its connection to communication and declaration.
Meanings of 宣
Xuān(Xuan1)
1to declare (publicly)
2to announce
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 宣
宣Simplified
9Strokes
宀Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#16750Frequency Rank
Podcast: 宣
Podcast: 宣
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AI Study Notes for 宣
Quick Contrast
宣 (xuān, declare) vs 述 (shù, narrate) — use 宣 when the focus is on making a public announcement, while 述 emphasizes recounting or describing events.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a loudspeaker (which sounds like 'xuān') announcing important news to a crowd. The character features the radical for 'speech' (言), emphasizing its connection to communication and declaration.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 宣 with similar-sounding characters like 选 (xuǎn, to choose). This word is typically used in formal contexts, so it's less common in casual conversations. When combined with other characters, it often appears in phrases related to announcements or declarations.
HSK Study Tips
Though 宣 is not part of the official HSK levels, it connects well with characters related to communication and formal language. Students should focus on its usage in conjunction with verbs like 'to tell' (告诉) or 'to say' (说) to enhance their understanding of announcements in Chinese.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, public announcements, especially during festivals or significant events, often utilize this character. For example, 宣 is used in phrases like 宣布 (xuānbù, to announce) in official communications.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 宣 with 选 (xuǎn), leading to incorrect usage. For instance, saying '我宣这个' (Wǒ xuān zhège) to mean 'I choose this' is incorrect; it should be '我选这个' (Wǒ xuǎn zhège).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 宣
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Grammar Patterns of 宣
宣 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). It carries 4 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
“我来要求归还我的房产，”她向接待人员____布。
"I've come to reclaim my property," she announced to the desk clerk.
Common Confusions with 宣
宣vs选
xuǎn
Similar sound but different meanings
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to declare (publicly)"?
or
Example Sentences for 宣 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
“我来要求归还我的房产，”她向接待人员宣布。
“ “ wǒ lái yào qiú guī huán wǒ de fáng，” chǎn ，” tā xiàng jiē dài rén yuán。
"I've come to reclaim my property," she announced to the desk clerk.
2
他宣称道：“我为自己的所作所为感到兴奋不已。”
tā xuān chēng dào：“ ：“ wǒ wéi zì jǐ de suǒ zuò suǒ wéi gǎn dào xīng fèn bù。”
"I'm absolutely thrilled to have done what I've done," he declared.
3
我们需要的不是善意但难以实现的宣言，而是实际行动。
wǒ mén xū yào de bù shì shàn yì dàn nán yǐ shí xiàn de xuān yán， ， ér shì shí jì háng。
What we need is not manifestos of pious intentions, but real action.
4
爱沙尼亚议会已经通过了宣布共和国完全独立的决议。
ài shā ní yà yì huì yǐ jīng tōng guò le xuān bù gòng hé guó wán quán dú lì de jué yì。
The Estonian parliament has passed a resolution declaring the republic fully independent.
5
一些公司已降低了宣传资料中标榜之词的调门。
yī xiē gōng sī yǐ jiàng dī le xuān chuán zī liào zhōng biāo bǎng zhī cí de tiáo mén。
Some companies have toned down the claims on their promotional literature.
Today he is formally announcing his candidacy for President.
Cultural Notes for 宣
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, public announcements, especially during festivals or significant events, often utilize this character. For example, 宣 is used in phrases like 宣布 (xuānbù, to announce) in official communications.
Word Family of 宣
Compounds20
喧xuan1clamor
暄xuan1genial and warm
渲xuan4to render; to exaggerate, to embellish, to add layers of color
楦xuan4shoe last; to stretch a shoe; to turn a lathe
萱xuan1day-lily, Hemerocallis fulva
煊xuan1warm
愃
揎xuan1to pull up one's sleeves; to prepare to fight
瑄xuan1ornamental jade
箮
鍹
塇
媗
睻
碹xuan4
縇
翧
蝖
諠xuan1noisy, uproarious; to forget
鰚
Words Containing This Character20
宣布xuānbùto declare
宣传xuānchuánto disseminate宣傳
宣称xuānchēngto assert宣稱
宣誓xuānshìto make a vow
宣言xuānyándeclaration
宣告xuāngàoto declare
宣判to pronounce a sentence (after a verdict in a court of law)
宣读xuāndúto read out loud to an audience宣讀
宣扬xuānyángto proclaim宣揚
宣Xuānto announce
宣泄xuānxièto divulge宣洩
宣传部Propaganda Department宣傳部
宣战to declare war宣戰
宣讲to preach宣講
宣传册flyer宣傳冊
心照不宣a tacit mutual understanding
中宣部Central Propaganda Section
宣传画propaganda poster宣傳畫
宣示to vow
宣教to preach a religion
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 喧 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 宣
Some synonyms for 宣 (xuān) include 发表 (fābiǎo), which means 'to publish' or 'to issue,' and 通告 (tōnggào), which means 'to notify' or 'to announce.' These words can often be used interchangeably depending on the context.
Yes, 宣 (xuān) is indeed a common surname in China. It is one of many surnames that can be found in Chinese-speaking communities, and like many Chinese surnames, it carries historical significance.
To use 宣 (xuān) in a sentence, you might say '他宣告了这个好消息' (Tā xuāngào le zhège hǎo xiāoxī), which means 'He announced the good news.' This character is often followed by the content of what is being announced.
宣 (xuān) means 'to announce' or 'to declare' in Chinese. It can be used in various contexts, including making public proclamations or announcements. Additionally, it is also a common surname in Chinese culture.
It is pronounced as 'xuān'.
No, it is generally used in more formal contexts, such as news announcements or official proclamations.
Common phrases include 宣布 (xuānbù, to announce) and 宣传 (xuānchuán, to promote).
