Learn a Chinese Character - 痕 (Hén - Trace; mark; scar; sign; indication; evidence)

1. Character Basics

Radical: 疒/nè (sickness) + 艮/gèn (stop)

Stroke Count: 11 strokes

Stroke Order:

Pinyin: Hén (Second tone)

Basic Meaning: Trace; mark; scar

Extended Meaning: Sign; indication; evidence

Additional Notes: Used to describe marks left by something, such as scratches, stains, or impressions.

痕迹 (hén jì) - Trace; mark

地上有脚印的痕迹。(Dìshàng yǒu jiǎoyìn de hénjì.) - There are footprints on the ground.
伤痕 (shāng hén) - Scar; wound mark

他的手臂上有一道伤痕。(Tā de shǒubì shàng yǒu yīdào shānghén.) - There is a scar on his arm.
泪痕 (lèi hén) - Tear stains

她的脸上还有泪痕。(Tā de liǎnshàng hái yǒu lèihén.) - There are still tear stains on her face.
裂痕 (liè hén) - Crack; split

玻璃上有一条裂痕。(Bōli shàng yǒu yītiáo lièhén.) - There is a crack on the glass.
痕迹学 (hén jì xué) - Forensics; trace evidence examination

痕迹学在犯罪调查中很重要。(Hénjìxué zài fànzuì diàochá zhōng hěn zhòngyào.) - Forensics is very important in criminal investigations.

Part of Speech: Noun

Usage:

Used to refer to physical marks left by something

雨在窗户上留下了水痕。(Yǔ zài chuānghu shàng liúxià le shuǐhén.) - The rain left water marks on the window.
Can also be used metaphorically to refer to intangible marks or influences

这段经历在他心里留下了深刻的痕迹。(Zhè duàn jīnglì zài tā xīnli liúxià le shēnkè de hénjì.) - This experience left a deep impression in his heart.

Common Structures:

In Chinese culture, the concept of "痕" (trace) carries both literal and metaphorical significance.

Literary Symbolism: In classical Chinese literature, "痕" is often used to describe faint marks that evoke a sense of impermanence and transience.
Artistic Expression: Traditional Chinese painting sometimes incorporates the concept of "留白 (liú bái)" (leaving blank space), which can be seen as a kind of "痕" that invites the viewer's imagination.
Philosophical Meaning: The idea of "痕" reflects the Chinese philosophical view that everything leaves its mark, whether physical or spiritual.
Forensic Science: In modern times, the study of traces (痕迹学) has developed into a important scientific discipline with applications in criminal investigations.

The character "痕" thus connects the physical world of marks and traces with deeper cultural and philosophical meanings.

Sentence 1:

时间在她脸上留下了岁月的痕迹。(Shíjiān zài tā liǎnshàng liúxià le suìyuè de hénjì.)

Time has left traces of years on her face.

Sentence 2:

警察正在寻找犯罪现场的痕迹。(Jǐngchá zhèngzài xúnzhǎo fànzuì xiànchǎng de hénjì.)

The police are looking for traces at the crime scene.

Sentence 3:

这本书上有钢笔的划痕。(Zhè běn shū shàng yǒu gāngbǐ de huáhén.)

There are pen scratches on this book.

1. Structure Memory: "痕" consists of 疒 (sickness radical) and 艮 (stop). Imagine a wound that has stopped bleeding but left a mark.

2. Visual Association: Associate the character with common types of marks you see every day, such as footprints, stains, or scratches.

3. Word Formation: Learn common words containing "痕" like 痕迹, 伤痕, 泪痕 to help remember the character and its usage.

4. Stroke Order Practice: Practice writing the character in the correct stroke order, starting with the 疒 radical and then adding the 艮 part.

5. Contextual Learning: Try to use the character in sentences describing marks or traces you encounter in daily life to reinforce your memory.