绢 (juàn) - thin, tough silk & silk fabric

绢Tone 4

juàn ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

傑君

绢 · juàn

thin, tough silk;

silk fabric;

a type of fine silk cloth.

thin, tough silksilk fabrica type of fine silk cloth.

Usage highlights

silk fabricsilk handkerchiefsilk paintingsilk fansilk manuscriptsilk ribbon

Synonyms

  • 绸— silk cloth (generally thicker)
  • 缎— satin (a type of silk fabric)
  • 帛— silk (general term, often used in classical texts)

Antonyms

  • 麻— hemp (a coarse fabric, opposite of fine silk)
  • 布— cloth (generally referring to cotton or coarse fabrics)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She bought a silk handkerchief (绢帕).
  • This painting is on silk (绢画).
  • The fan is made of silk (绢扇).
  • Ancient manuscripts were sometimes written on silk (绢书).

Collocations

  • silk fabric(绢布)
  • silk handkerchief(绢帕)
  • silk painting(绢画)
  • silk fan(绢扇)
  • silk manuscript(绢书)
  • silk ribbon(绢带)

Idioms

  • To write on plain silk(命染柔翰, 题勒绢素)
  • Silk and bamboo (referring to classical music)(丝竹管弦, 绢帛竹简)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Silk (绢) was a precious commodity on the ancient Silk Road, traded extensively.
  • In ancient China, silk was used for writing before paper was invented.
  • Silk paintings and calligraphy on silk were highly valued art forms.

FAQ