敛 (liǎn) - to restrain & to control

敛Tone 3

liǎn ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

敛 · liǎn

to restrain;

to control;

to hold back;

to collect (taxes, money);

to gather;

to contract.

to restrainto controlto hold back

Usage highlights

to restrain oneselfto collect taxesfacial expression becomes seriousto gather strengthto hold one's breathto gather bones for burial

Synonyms

  • 收— to collect; to receive
  • 控— to control
  • 束— to bind; to restrain

Antonyms

  • 放— to release; to let go
  • 散— to scatter; to disperse
  • 扩— to expand; to enlarge

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He learned to restrain his temper (收敛脾气).
  • The government collects taxes (收税).
  • Her expression suddenly became serious (敛容).
  • The company is downsizing its workforce (收敛业务).

Collocations

  • to restrain oneself(收敛)
  • to collect taxes(敛财)
  • facial expression becomes serious(敛容)
  • to gather strength(敛力)
  • to hold one's breath(敛息)
  • to gather bones for burial(敛骨)

Idioms

  • To restrain one's arrogance and hide one's capabilities(敛锷韬光)
  • To tighten the net to catch birds and beasts(敛手待毙)
  • To gather wealth through improper means(横征暴敛)
  • To restrain one's wild ambitions and return to simplicity(敛狂返朴)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, '敛' is associated with self-discipline and moderation, a valued Confucian virtue.
  • The character appears in contexts of ritual and propriety, such as '敛容' (composing one's expression) to show respect.
  • Historically linked to statecraft and governance through its meaning of tax collection ('敛财').

FAQ