键 (jiàn) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 键 (jiàn) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 键 (jiàn) means "key (on a keyboard or piano); chemical bond". It is an HSK Level 5 character, with 13 strokes and the radical 钅.

Q: How do you write 键 stroke by stroke?

键 has 13 strokes. The radical is 钅. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 键 and 铐?

键 (jiàn) and 铐 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 键?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 钅. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 键?

Common words containing 键 include: 键盘 (jiàn pán) — keyboard; 按键 (àn jiàn) — key (on a keyboard or phone); 关键 (guān jiàn) — Key; crucial.

How to Write 键

The character 键 (jiàn) is written with 13 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 钅 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

键 is pronounced jiàn in Mandarin Chinese. It means key (on a keyboard or piano); chemical bond.

As an HSK Level 5 character, 键 is an intermediate-level character.

Common Words with 键

键盘 jiàn pán

keyboard

按键 àn jiàn

key (on a keyboard or phone)

关键 guān jiàn

Key; crucial

Example Sentences

电脑键盘很脏。

diàn nǎo jiàn pán hěn zāng

The computer keyboard is very dirty.

请按这个按键。

qǐng àn zhè ge àn jiàn

Please press this key.

这是问题的关键。

zhè shì wèn tí de guān jiàn

This is the key to the problem.

Similar Characters

铐 kào

铑 lǎo

铒 ěr

Practice Writing 键 (jiàn)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 键 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 键

What does 键 (jiàn) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 键 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 键 and 铐?

What mistakes do learners make writing 键?

What common words use 键?

How to Write 键 (jiàn)