捲 (juǎn) - To roll up & to curl

捲Tone 3

juǎn ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

傑君

捲 · juǎn

To roll up;

to curl;

to coil;

a roll or scroll;

to involve or entangle.

To roll upto curlto coil

Usage highlights

Roll upCurly hairTo be involved inSmoke ringScroll paintingRolling shutter

Synonyms

  • 卷— to roll up; scroll (simplified form)
  • 滾— to roll; to boil
  • 繞— to wind; to coil

Antonyms

  • 展— to unfold; to spread out
  • 開— to open
  • 伸— to stretch; to extend

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Roll up the sleeves (捲起袖子).
  • Curled hair (捲髮).
  • A scroll of calligraphy (書法捲).
  • He got involved in the dispute (他被捲入爭端).

Collocations

  • Roll up(捲起)
  • Curly hair(捲髮)
  • To be involved in(捲入)
  • Smoke ring(煙捲)
  • Scroll painting(畫捲)
  • Rolling shutter(捲簾)

Idioms

  • To be swept up in trouble(捲入漩渦)
  • Rolling up the flag and putting away the drums(捲旗息鼓)
  • To roll up and retreat(捲甲而逃)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used for scrolls of calligraphy and painting, important in Chinese art.
  • The action of rolling or coiling appears in both practical objects (blinds, sleeves) and metaphorical involvement.
  • In modern contexts, often appears in words related to hair styling and mechanical rolling devices.

FAQ