笺 (jiān) - A slip of paper & a note

笺Tone 1

jiān ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

嘉健

笺 · jiān

A slip of paper;

a note;

a letter;

a document;

also refers to a type of fine paper used for writing or printing.

A slip of papera notea letter

Usage highlights

Note paperLetter paperWriting paperAnnotationPoetic noteMemorandum

Synonyms

  • 纸— paper (general term)
  • 信— letter
  • 札— letter, note (archaic)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I wrote a note on a slip of paper (便笺).
  • She sent a letter (信笺) to her friend.
  • He filled out an application form (申请表笺).
  • This is high-quality writing paper (笺纸).

Collocations

  • Note paper(便笺)
  • Letter paper(信笺)
  • Writing paper(笺纸)
  • Annotation(笺注)
  • Poetic note(诗笺)
  • Memorandum(笺记)

Idioms

  • To annotate and comment(笺注)
  • A slip conveying deep feeling(寸笺传情)
  • Elegant paper and ink(锦笺妙墨)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used for elegant correspondence, especially poetry and scholarly notes.
  • Associated with refinement and literary culture in traditional China.
  • Often made from high-quality, sometimes decorated, paper.

FAQ