Learn a Chinese Character

1. Character Basics

Radical: ⺋/juàn (卷字头)

Stroke Count: 8

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: juǎn (third tone) and juàn (fourth tone) - this is a polyphonic character

3. Meaning

As juǎn (third tone): roll, coil, wrap, wind, curl, scroll up

As juàn (fourth tone): volume, book, document, scroll, exam/test paper, reel

4. Common Words

卷子 (juànzi) - exam paper, test paper
卷纸 (juǎnzhǐ) - toilet paper, tissue paper
卷曲 (juǎnqū) - curl, coil
试卷 (shìjuàn) - exam paper
卷入 (juǎnrù) - get involved in, be drawn into
一卷 (yījuǎn) - a roll of (something)

5. Grammar & Usage

As juǎn (verb - roll, coil, wrap):

后面接名词，表示卷起或包裹的对象：卷袖子 (roll up sleeves), 卷头发 (curl hair), 卷报纸 (roll up newspaper)
可带补语：卷起来 (roll up), 卷得紧 (roll tightly)
后接趋向动词：卷入 (get involved in), 卷出 (roll out)

As juàn (noun - volume, paper):

指书籍的卷册：第一卷 (Volume 1), 全书共三卷 (the book has three volumes)
指考试卷子：语文卷子 (Chinese exam paper), 数学卷子 (math exam paper)
量词用法：一卷纸 (a roll of paper), 一卷胶带 (a roll of tape)

6. Cultural Background

在中国文化中，"卷"字有着丰富的历史和文化内涵：

卷轴文化：古代中国人用卷轴来书写和保存重要文献，如书法作品、绘画、经典著作等，卷轴是中国传统文化的重要载体
科举考试：在科举制度中，考试用的卷子被称为"试卷"，考生的答卷直接关系到他们的仕途和命运
书籍装订：中国古代书籍多采用卷轴形式，后来发展为线装书，但"卷"作为量词仍保留至今
文人雅趣：古人常以"卷"代指书籍，如"开卷有益"、"手不释卷"等成语体现了读书的重要性
现代引申：在现代网络文化中，"卷"也被引申为"内卷"，指内部竞争激烈的状态

7. Example Sentence

中文 (juǎn): 她卷起袖子开始打扫房间。

Pinyin: Tā juǎn qǐ xiùzi kāishǐ dǎsǎo fángjiān.

Translation: She rolled up her sleeves and started cleaning the room.

中文 (juàn): 这次考试的卷子很难。

Pinyin: Zhècì kǎoshì de juànzi hěn nán.

Translation: The exam paper this time is very difficult.

8. Memory Tips

Character Structure Breakdown: 卷 has ⺋ (卷字头) on top and 卩 (seal radical) below, with a horizontal stroke connecting them.

Mnemonic Device: Imagine the top part ⺋ as a rolled-up piece of paper, and the bottom part 卩 as a hand holding it, representing the action of rolling or a scroll.

Polyphonic Character Tips: Remember the two pronunciations by their meanings:

juǎn (third tone) for the action of rolling, coiling, or wrapping
juàn (fourth tone) for the noun meaning volume, book, or exam paper

Stroke Order Practice: Focus on the correct stroke order, starting with the horizontal stroke at the top, then the curved strokes, and finally the bottom part.

Related Words: Associate the character with common words like 卷子 (exam paper) and 卷纸 (toilet paper) to reinforce both pronunciations.