鍳 (jiàn) - Jian — an archaic variant form of 鑑/鉴, & also refers to a mirror or looking glass.

鍳Tone 4

jiàn ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

健傑

鍳 · jiàn

Jian — an archaic variant form of 鑑/鉴, meaning to inspect, examine, reflect, or serve as a warning;

also refers to a mirror or looking glass.

Jian — an archaic variant form of 鑑/鉴,also refers to a mirror or looking glass.

Usage highlights

MirrorWarnExamineAppraiseLearn from past mistakesHistorical mirror

Synonyms

  • 鉴— mirror, reflect, inspect (modern simplified form)
  • 鑑— mirror, reflect, inspect (traditional form)
  • 镜— mirror, lens

Antonyms

  • 蔽— to cover, obscure, hide from view
  • 瞒— to conceal, deceive, hide the truth

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Use past mistakes as a mirror for the future (以鍳前车).
  • The bronze mirror was used for self-reflection (青铜鍳).
  • This event serves as a warning (以此为鍳).
  • Carefully examine the details (仔细鍳察).

Collocations

  • Mirror(明鍳)
  • Warn(警鍳)
  • Examine(鍳察)
  • Appraise(鍳定)
  • Learn from past mistakes(前车之鍳)
  • Historical mirror(史鍳)

Idioms

  • Learn from past mistakes(前车之鍳)
  • Use history as a mirror(以史为鍳)
  • The clear mirror hung high(明鍳高悬)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to bronze mirrors in ancient China, which were used for both practical purposes and symbolic reflection.
  • In imperial contexts, officials would present 'mirror memorials' to emperors as warnings or advice based on historical precedents.
  • The character embodies the Confucian ideal of learning from history and self-examination for moral improvement.

FAQ