Chinese Character: 茧
1. Character Basics
Radical: 艹/cǎo radical (grass)
Stroke Count: 9
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jiǎn
Pronunciation Note: Pronounced with a falling-rising tone (third tone).
3. Meaning
cocoon, callus, thickened skin, shell
4. Common Words
- 蚕茧 (cánjiǎn) - silkworm cocoon - The protective casing spun by silkworms
- 茧子 (jiǎnzi) - callus - Thickened skin on the hands or feet from friction
- 老茧 (lǎojiǎn) - hard callus - Thick, hardened areas of skin
- 茧丝 (jiǎnsī) - cocoon silk - Silk fibers from cocoons
- 茧绸 (jiǎnchóu) - pongee silk - A type of silk fabric
- 结茧 (jiéjiǎn) - spin a cocoon - The process of a silkworm spinning its cocoon
5. Grammar & Usage
1. As a noun: "茧" is primarily used as a noun referring to a cocoon or callus, as in "蚕茧" (silkworm cocoon).
2. In compounds: It is often found in compound words related to silk production or skin conditions.
3. Metaphorical use: Sometimes used metaphorically to refer to something that encloses or protects, similar to a cocoon.
4. Common collocations: "茧子" (callus), "老茧" (hard callus), and "结茧" (spin a cocoon) are commonly used collocations.
6. Cultural Background
The character "茧" has significant cultural importance in China, particularly in relation to sericulture (silk production), which has a history of thousands of years. The cultivation of silkworms and the harvesting of cocoons for silk has been a vital industry and art form in Chinese culture. The character also appears in idiomatic expressions and proverbs, often symbolizing transformation or the process of growth and development, as a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly within a cocoon. Additionally, the concept of "老茧" (hard callus) is often associated with hard work and perseverance in Chinese culture.
7. Example Sentence
妈妈的手上有很多老茧，那是辛苦劳动的印记。
Pinyin: Māma de shǒushàng yǒu hěn duō lǎojiǎn, nà shì xīnkǔ láodòng de yìnjì.
Translation: There are many calluses on Mom's hands, which are marks of hard work.
8. Memory Tips
The character "茧" is composed of the radical "艹" (cǎo, grass) and the component "虫" (chóng, insect). You can remember it by thinking of an insect (虫) related to plants (艹) that creates a cocoon. The character has 9 strokes, so practice writing it carefully to master the stroke order.