How to Write 减 (jiǎn)
Detailed Mastery Guide for 减
The character 减 (Traditional: 減) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Subtract / Minus". In our Level 3 curriculum, we focus on the 11-step stroke sequence to ensure your handwriting is both fast and accurate.
Writing & Recognition
Proper stroke order is essential for character recognition and legibility. By following the animation above, you can see how the character is built from top to bottom and left to right. This character is often categorized under Math & Numbers, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.
Key Vocabulary
Radical Breakdown
Breaking it down: The character 减 is built on the radical Water (氵), 85. Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.
Etymology & Origins
Phono-semantic compound. 氵 (water) + 咸 (phonetic). Originally meant to soak or wash, but the meaning shifted to reduce.
Example Sentence
Simplified: 我们需要减少塑料的使用。
Wǒmen xūyào jiǎnshǎo sùliào de shǐyòng.
Traditional: 我們需要減少塑料的使用。
ngo5 mun4 seoi1 jiu3 gaam2 siu2 sou3 liu2 dik1 si2 jung6.
"We need to reduce the use of plastic."
Dialect Pronunciation
In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as jiǎn. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is gaam2. Use the audio buttons to hear the subtle tonal differences between the two major Chinese dialects.
Practice & Retention
To move this character from short-term to long-term memory, we recommend using our free practice sheet generator. Writing the character 10-15 times while following the correct sequence is a proven method for mastery.
Quick Self-Check
What is the meaning of '减'?
Other Characters in Level 3 Unit 1
Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!
We built this site to ensure everyone has access to free stroke order visualizers without annoying paywalls or trial limits. If you find it helpful, supporting us on Ko-fi helps keep the site running!
☕ Support Us on Ko-fi