jiǎn

翦

Character · Verb · Proper nounTraditional戩

same as 'cut'; surname

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

4 senses · 6 examples
1.

verb

to cut off; to eradicate; to exterminate

archaic

This is an archaic or variant form of 剪 (jiǎn). It is rarely used in modern writing for this meaning, which is almost exclusively carried by 剪. When encountered, it typically appears in classical texts or proper nouns.

 （
gǔ古
 ）
Wáng王
mìng命
jiǎn戬
qí其
zú族
 。

(Ancient) The king ordered the extermination of his clan.

Zhè这
ge个
zì字
yì义
xiàn现
yǐ已
bù不
yòng用
 ，
xiàn现
dài代
Hàn汉
yǔ语
yòng用
 “
jiǎn剪
 ”
 。

This meaning is no longer used; modern Chinese uses "剪".

2.

verb

to reduce; to lessen

archaic

Another archaic meaning shared with 剪, referring to diminishing or reducing something. Obsolete in modern usage.

 （
gǔ古
 ）
Yǐ以
jiǎn戬
qí其
hài害
 。

(Ancient) To reduce its harm.

3.

verb

to wipe out; to destroy

archaic

Archaic meaning of complete destruction. Not used in contemporary language.

 （
gǔ古
 ）
Tiān天
jì既
jiǎn戬
Shāng商
 。

(Ancient) Heaven has destroyed the Shang dynasty.

4.

proper noun

a surname

The primary modern use of the character 戬 is as a Chinese surname. It is not a very common surname.

Jiǎn戬
xiān先
sheng生
shì是
wǒ我
men们
de的
xīn新
lín邻
jū居
 。

Mr. Jian is our new neighbor.

Lì历
shǐ史
shàng上
xìng姓
Jiǎn戬
de的
míng名
rén人
bù不
duō多
 。

There are not many famous historical figures with the surname Jian.