文 Stroke Order — How to Write 文
文 is written in 4 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 文, 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.
文 Radical and Character Components
文 is a pictograph. A tattooed chest, representing writing.
Radical: 文 + 0 more strokes
文 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- wén
Meanings of 文 in Chinese
1
wén文
Patterns or designs, often intricate, formed by interwoven or complex elements; referring to a beautiful texture or ornamentation, as in 'resplendent like brocade'.
这幅壁画色彩斑斓，图案错综复杂，灿若文锦
This mural is colorful and intricately patterned, resplendent like brocade.
To engrave or decorate with patterns, similar to tattooing.
这件陶器上文着精美的图案。
This pottery piece is adorned with exquisite patterns.
Refers to a symbol for recording language, such as written characters or script.
她喜欢研究古代的文字。
She likes to study ancient characters.
Pertaining to written language, literature, culture, or documentation; often used in compounds like 'diploma', 'literature', or 'document'.
她对中国传统文艺非常感兴趣。
She is very interested in traditional Chinese literature and art.
A summary of human achievements, often referring to culture, civilization, or cultural relics.
我们要好好保护这些珍贵的文化遗产。
We must properly protect these precious cultural heritage sites.
Refers to natural phenomena, as in astronomy (天文) or hydrology (水文).
我喜欢研究天文现象。
I enjoy studying astronomical phenomena.
In old times, refers to etiquette or rituals, often used in expressions like 'empty formalities' (虚文) or 'superfluous ceremonies' (繁文缛节).
现代人追求效率，不再喜欢那些繁文缛节。
Modern people pursue efficiency and no longer favor those elaborate rituals and formalities.
Refers to elegance, refinement, or literary grace, often contrasted with simplicity ('质') or raw emotion ('情'), as seen in '文质彬彬' (balanced elegance and simplicity).
这位老师谈吐有文有质，令人印象深刻。
This teacher's speech is both refined and substantial, leaving a deep impression.
Gentle, mild, quiet, or refined (describing a temperament or manner).
她性格文静，总是默默地观察周围的一切。
Her personality is gentle and quiet; she always observes everything around her silently.
Pertaining to non-military or civil affairs, often in contrast to military matters.
他更倾向于从事文职工作，而不是军事方面的任务。
He leans more towards civilian jobs than military assignments.
Refers to written language based on classical Chinese, such as classical Chinese itself (文言) or a style that mixes classical and vernacular elements (文白间杂).
这篇文章的语言风格是文白间杂的，读起来别有风味。
The language style of this article is a mixture of classical and vernacular, which gives it a unique charm.
Refers specifically to humanities or social sciences.
我对文科更感兴趣。
I am more interested in humanities.
To gloss over or cover up (faults, mistakes).
他总是试图文饰自己的不足。
He always tries to gloss over his shortcomings.
A unit of ancient small copper coins; a penny (often implying a very small amount or lack of money).
他辛苦了一整天，却只挣了几文钱。
He worked hard all day, but only earned a few ancient copper coins.
Common Words and Phrases with 文
1
Official documents and correspondence, or the person responsible for drafting and managing them, typically in an administrative setting.
他在县衙里担任文案一职，负责起草各类公文。
He served as a 'wen'an' (clerk/secretary responsible for drafting documents) in the county office, in charge of drafting various official documents.
2
Text or version of a document.
这份合同的最终文本已经发送给双方确认。
The final text of this contract has been sent to both parties for confirmation.
3
style of writing; literary style
这位作家的文笔优美，深受读者喜爱。
This author's writing style is elegant and deeply cherished by readers.
4
A writing style that is smooth, fluent, and easy to read, allowing ideas to flow effortlessly.
这位作家的作品文笔流畅，深受读者喜爱。
This author's works are characterized by a smooth and flowing writing style, which makes them highly popular among readers.
5
Irrelevant to the subject; off-topic.
小明写了一篇关于夏天旅游的作文，结果通篇都在讲他冬天滑雪的经历，老师说他文不对题
Xiao Ming wrote an essay about summer travel, but the whole piece talked about his winter skiing experience, so the teacher said his essay was irrelevant to the topic.
6
To write an essay quickly and flawlessly, never needing to make any revisions or corrections, indicating a facile mind and fluent style.
那位作家文思泉涌，下笔如有神，常常文不加点就能完成一篇佳作。
That writer's thoughts flow like a spring, and his pen moves as if guided by a muse; he often completes an excellent work without needing any revisions.
7
Literary talent or aptitude for writing.
他从小就展现出非凡的文才，写的文章总是引人入胜。
He displayed exceptional literary talent from a young age; his written pieces were always captivating.
8
literary talent and grace; polished writing style
花园里的花朵各具文采，争奇斗艳，构成了一幅美丽的图景。
Each flower in the garden displayed its unique and splendid array of colors, competing in beauty and forming a picturesque scene.
9
Describes literary works that are brilliantly written, sparkling with wit and captivating elegance.
他的文章文彩四溢，读起来令人赏心悦目，仿佛置身于一个充满想象力的世界。
His writings are brilliant and full of flair, delightful to read, as if one is transported into a world brimming with imagination.
10
Amphioxus, also known as lancelet, is a small, fusiform, translucent marine chordate.
文昌鱼的纤细身体和半透明外观，使其成为海洋生态系统中一种独特的无脊椎动物。
The delicate body and translucent appearance of the amphioxus make it a unique invertebrate in marine ecosystems.
11
A plagiarist, often used ironically to refer to someone who copies others' works.
他因为总是把别人的文章稍作修改就当成自己的作品发表，被同事们戏称为“文抄公”。
He was jokingly called a "plagiarist" by his colleagues because he always slightly modified others' articles and published them as his own work.
12
Literary language; the words and phrases used in writing.
他善于运用各种修辞手法，使文章的文词生动而富有感染力。
He is skilled at employing various rhetorical devices, making the literary expressions in his articles vivid and captivating.
13
readable and fluent
这位作家总是能把复杂的主题写得文从字顺，让读者轻松理解。
This author always manages to write about complex topics in a smooth and coherent way, making them easy for readers to understand.
14
ancient books and records; literary classics
这部图书馆收藏了许多珍贵的古代文典，为研究者提供了丰富的学习资料。
This library houses many valuable ancient literary classics, offering rich learning resources for researchers.
15
telegram; text of a telegram
会议秘书将重要文电整理归档，以备日后查阅。
The conference secretary organized and filed the important teletext messages for future reference.
16
to be engaged (referring to engagement or betrothal)
他们决定在下个月举行文定仪式。
They decided to hold their engagement ceremony next month.
More words with 文
- kè课wén文text, lesson text
- bǎng榜wén文announcement; notice
- bēi碑wén文Inscription on a tablet or stele.
- chéng呈wén文memorial, petition
- dǎo祷wén文prayer
- dào悼wén文eulogy, memorial address
- fàn范wén文model essay
- jì祭wén文Eulogy, Funeral oration
- shì释wén文Explanatory notes, Interpretation
- sī斯wen文Refined and gentle.
- sòng颂wén文eulogy, ode
- xí檄wén文Proclamation, Declaration
- xù序wén文preface or foreword
- yì艺wén文Arts and Literature, The Arts
- yì译wén文translated text
- yùn韵wén文verse, rhymed prose
- zhòu咒wén文An incantation or a spell.
- zhù注wén文Notes or explanatory text.
- zhuàn篆wén文seal script
- zhuì缀wén文Composition, Writing
Idioms with 文
- wén文dú牍zhǔ主yì义excessive reliance on paperwork
- wén文fáng房sì四bǎo宝four treasures of the study
- wén文fēng风bù不dòng动absolutely still, not budging an inch
- wén文guò过shì饰fēi非gloss over one's faults
- wén文jīng经wǔ武wěi纬govern by civil and military means
- wén文jūn君sī司mǎ马deeply in love couple
- wén文lǐ理bù不tōng通illogical or incoherent writing or speech
- wén文rén人mò墨kè客literary figures and calligraphers
- wén文rén人wú无xíng行Literati often lack moral integrity
- wén文rén人xiāng相qīng轻Literary figures disparage each other
- wén文rén人yǎ雅shì士refined scholars and literati
- wén文rú如qí其rén人writing reflects the author's character
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Open the tool →Questions about 文
What does 文 mean in Chinese?
文 (wén) means “A summary of human achievements” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 文?
文 is pronounced wén in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 文 have?
文 has 4 strokes.
How do you write 文?
文 is written in 4 strokes, starting from the radical 文. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 文?
The radical of 文 is 文, and 文 is a pictograph.