Chinese Character: 剑
1. Character Basics
Radical: 刀/dāo radical (刀字旁)
Stroke Count: 9
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jiàn (fourth tone)
3. Meaning
sword, blade, sword-like weapon
4. Common Words
- 宝剑 (bǎo jiàn) - treasured sword, sword
- 剑道 (jiàn dào) - kendo, the way of the sword
- 剑侠 (jiàn xiá) - swordsman, knight errant
- 击剑 (jī jiàn) - fencing, sword fighting
- 剑鞘 (jiàn qiào) - sword scabbard
- 剑气 (jiàn qì) - sword energy (in martial arts novels)
5. Grammar & Usage
剑 is a noun that refers to a type of bladed weapon. It is used in both literal and figurative contexts.
When used literally, 剑 typically appears as a noun in phrases like 一把剑 (yī bǎ jiàn) meaning "a sword".
In modern Chinese, 剑 is often used in compound words related to traditional Chinese martial arts and culture, such as 剑术 (jiàn shù) meaning "swordsmanship" and 剑谱 (jiàn pǔ) meaning "sword manual".
Figuratively, 剑 can be used to represent sharpness, precision, or power, as in the phrase 舌剑唇枪 (shé jiàn chún qiāng) meaning "sharp tongue like swords and spears".
6. Cultural Background
The character 剑 has played a significant role in Chinese culture for thousands of years. Swords were not only weapons but also symbols of honor, status, and spiritual cultivation.
In ancient China, swords were highly valued and often decorated with intricate designs. They were considered an essential part of a scholar's attire, representing both physical and mental strength.
Chinese swordsmanship (剑术) has developed into a sophisticated martial art with various styles and techniques. It emphasizes not only combat skills but also moral and philosophical principles.
The 剑 is also a common symbol in Chinese literature, poetry, and art, often representing heroism, justice, and the pursuit of perfection.
7. Example Sentence
句子 (jù zi): 他手里拿着一把锋利的剑。
Pronunciation (pīn yīn): Tā shǒu lǐ ná zhe yī bǎ fēng lì de jiàn.
Translation (fān yì): He is holding a sharp sword in his hand.
8. Memory Tips
The character 剑 consists of two parts: 佥 (qiān) on the left and 刂 (dāo, knife) on the right. You can remember it by thinking of "a sharp blade (刀) with a decorative handle (佥)"
Another way to remember: 剑 sounds like "jiàn" and means "sword". Think of the phrase "宝剑锋从磨砺出" (bǎo jiàn fēng cóng mó lì chū) meaning "A treasured sword's sharpness comes from honing".
The radical 刂 (dāo, knife) on the right side clearly indicates that this character is related to bladed weapons.