chuàn HSK 6

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

他把珠子串成项链。
Tā bǎ zhūzi chuàn chéng xiàngliàn.
He strung the beads into a necklace.
我们串了几家商店购物。
Wǒmen chuàn le jǐ jiā shāngdiàn gòuwù.
We visited several shops in a row for shopping.
这些事件是串在一起的。
Zhèxiē shìjiàn shì chuàn zài yīqǐ de.
These events are connected together.
我买了一串葡萄。
Wǒ mǎi le yī chuàn pútáo.
I bought a bunch of grapes.
他有一串钥匙。
Tā yǒu yī chuàn yàoshi.
He has a set of keys.

💡 Memory Tip

Imagine a skewer (like for kebabs) with items 'strung' together—the shape resembles the character 串, which looks like two items lined up vertically. Think of 'chuàn' sounding like 'chew on' a skewer of food.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, in informal to neutral contexts. It frequently appears in food-related settings (e.g., ordering skewered meats at a street stall) or when describing things in a chain or series, like a string of lights or a sequence of actions.

📖 Grammar Points

串 follows the standard measure word pattern: Number + 串 + Noun (e.g., 三串烤肉). It can also be used as a verb meaning 'to string together' or 'to go from one place to another,' as in 串门 (to visit homes).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 串 is closely associated with street food, especially chuanr (串儿), which are skewered and grilled meats popular in night markets. It reflects a social, casual dining tradition often enjoyed with friends.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to other measure words, 串 specifically implies items are linked or aligned. For example, 条 (tiáo) is for long, thin objects (e.g., a fish), but not necessarily connected items; 根 (gēn) is for slender, solid items (e.g., a stick), while 串 emphasizes the threading or grouping aspect.

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