敛
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: to hold back
💡 Imagine 'collecting' coins into a purse (攵 = strike, like closing a lid).
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
敛 (liǎn) means 'to hold back' or 'to restrain'. It often appears in contexts of collecting, reducing, or controlling. Culturally, it reflects the Chinese value of modesty and self-restraint. In phrases like 收敛 (shōuliǎn, to retract) or 敛财 (liǎncái, to accumulate wealth), it shows both physical and abstract restraint.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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