弦 Stroke Order — How to Write 弦
弦 is written in 8 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 弓, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
弦 Radical and Character Components
弦 is a phono-semantic compound: 弓 (bow) carries the meaning, while 玄 indicates the sound.
Radical: 弓 + 5 more strokes
弦 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- xián
Meanings of 弦 in Chinese
1
xián弦
The string of a bow (弓弦); by extension, it also refers to the crescent moon (弦月) or the first/last quarter moon (上弦/下弦) due to its shape resembling a bowstring.
今天晚上是上弦月，月亮看起来像一个弯弯的弓弦
Tonight is the first quarter moon, and it looks like a curved bowstring.
The string of a musical instrument; also refers to the bowstring, or is used in idioms like '弦外之音' (implied meaning or subtle hint) and '续弦' (for a widower to remarry).
他那番话，听起来有些弦外之音。
His remarks seemed to carry a hidden meaning.
In ancient China, it referred to the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle.
在直角三角形中，最长的一边叫做弦。
In a right-angled triangle, the longest side is called the hypotenuse.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), 'xian' (弦) refers to a wiry pulse, a pulse feeling tight and taut, often indicating liver qi stagnation or excess.
医生把脉后，诊断他为弦脉。
After taking his pulse, the doctor diagnosed him with a wiry pulse.
Common Words and Phrases with 弦
1
To string a musical instrument and then play it.
他将那些零散的创意碎片收集起来，弦而鼓之，编织成一部引人入胜的小说。
He gathered those scattered creative fragments, and like stringing and playing an instrument, wove them into a captivating novel.
2
sing to the accompaniment of stringed instruments
学堂里传来了阵阵弦歌声，学子们在歌声中诵读经典。
The sound of singing accompanied by string instruments drifted from the school, as students recited classics amidst the songs.
3
String music or music played by string instruments.
这场音乐会的弦乐部分表现出色。
The string section of this concert performed excellently.
4
A musical instrument that produces sound from vibrating strings.
交响乐团的弦乐器部分包括小提琴、中提琴、大提琴和低音提琴。
The string section of a symphony orchestra includes violins, violas, cellos, and double basses.
5
The angle formed by a tangent to a circle and a chord through the point of tangency.
在几何证明中，我们经常利用弦切角定理来求解与圆相关的角度问题。
In geometric proofs, we often use the tangent-chord theorem to solve angle problems related to circles.
6
Originally referring to singing and chanting accompanied by stringed instruments; it now commonly denotes scholarly study and continuous teaching, particularly in an educational setting.
这所古老的书院，百年来弦诵不辍，培养了无数优秀人才。
This ancient academy has, for centuries, upheld its scholarly traditions, nurturing countless talented individuals.
7
Implied meaning; overtones; a meaning not explicitly stated but hinted at.
她的话语中总是带着一些弦外之意，让人需要仔细揣摩。
Her words always carry some implied meaning, requiring careful consideration.
8
A lunette; an arched or semicircular opening in a vaulted ceiling, typically serving as a window.
教堂的顶部设计了数个弦月窗，让自然光线柔和地洒入室内。
The top of the church was designed with several lunette windows, allowing natural light to softly diffuse into the interior.
More words with 弦
- xù续xián弦marry a second wife, take a second wife
- cù促xián弦Rapid tempo on strings, Fast strings
- sī丝xián弦silk string
- zhū朱xián弦Vermilion string, Red string
- qín琴xián弦string
- gōng弓xián弦bowstring
- xián弦mài脉wiry pulse
- xīn心xián弦Heartstrings, Deepest emotions
- guǎn管xián弦Orchestra, Orchestral
- xián弦yuè月crescent moon, half moon
- yú余xián弦cosine
- zhèng正xián弦sine
- jí吉tā他xián弦guitar string, guitar strings
- shàng上xián弦yuè月first quarter moon
- xián弦shàng上on the string, on the bowstring
- xián弦yīn音string sound, string tone
- guǎn管xián弦yuè乐duì队orchestra
- zhēng筝xián弦zither strings, guzheng strings
- zhèng正xián弦hán函shù数sine function
- qín琴xián弦shàng上on the strings, on strings
Idioms with 弦
- xián弦wài外yǒu有yīn音have a hidden meaning
- xián弦wài外zhī之yīn音implied meaning beyond the words
- dòng动rén人xīn心xián弦stirring one's heartstrings
- gǎi改xián弦gēng更zhāng张reform a system or change a plan
- gǎi改xián弦yì易zhé辙change one's approach or direction
- jiàn箭zài在xián弦shàng上action is imminent and unavoidable
- kòu扣rén人xīn心xián弦gripping and thrilling
- nǔ弩jiàn箭lí离xián弦extremely rapid
- rú如jiàn箭zài在xián弦poised for imminent and unavoidable action
- shǐ矢zài在xián弦shàng上arrow on the bowstring, must act
- xián弦gē歌zhī之shēng声sound of teaching and learning
- xián弦gē歌zhī之yīn音sound of scholarly pursuits
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Open the tool →Questions about 弦
What does 弦 mean in Chinese?
弦 (xián) means “The string of a bow (弓弦)” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 弦?
弦 is pronounced xián in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 弦 have?
弦 has 8 strokes.
How do you write 弦?
弦 is written in 8 strokes, starting from the radical 弓. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 弦?
The radical of 弦 is 弓, and 弦 is a phono-semantic compound.
