How to Write 謇 (jiǎn) — Meaning “Outspoken; stuttering”

Imagine a person who wants to speak (言) but their words come out twisted and tangled like a knot (㓞) — they either stutter or blurt out honest truths. This visual of a twisted tongue helps recall both meanings: outspoken and stuttering.

Write the top 言 first with its three horizontal strokes evenly spaced, then the bottom component 㓞: start with the left 刀 shape, then the right 又. A common mistake is making the bottom too wide — keep it balanced under the 言 so the whole character stays compact.

謇 (jiǎn) focuses on outspokenness or stuttering, and has 言 over 㓞. 䜌 (luán) means "continuous" or "twisted" and has two 言 side by side. 諠 (xuān) means "noisy" or "to forget" and is 言 with 宣 (proclaim); it does not carry the stuttering meaning.

謇 is rarely used in daily conversation but appears in classical or formal writing, often in the compound 謇谔 meaning "outspoken and honest." It carries a cultural connotation of upright integrity, similar to a loyal minister who dares to speak frankly to the emperor, despite personal risk.

Common words containing 謇 include: 謇謇 (jiǎn jiǎn) — Outspoken and upright; 謇谔 (jiǎn è) — Outspoken and honest; 忠謇 (zhōng jiǎn) — Loyal and outspoken.