How to Write 缱 (qiǎn) — Meaning “Deeply attached; inseparable”

Imagine silk threads (纟) that are so tightly intertwined they cannot be separated—like a couple deeply in love. The right side 遣 looks like a person walking away (辶) but with a 'sending' action, yet the silk keeps them bound, creating a visual of "cannot part even when sent away."

缱 has 16 strokes: first write the silk radical 纟 (3 strokes), then the right side 遣 (13 strokes). A common mistake is making the bottom part of 遣 too narrow; the 辶 (walk radical) should enclose the upper components smoothly. Also, ensure the left silk radical is slightly narrower than the right side to keep the character balanced.

缱 (qiǎn) means 'deeply attached' and always relates to emotions or relationships. 缥 (piǎo) uses the same silk radical but with a different phonetic 票, meaning 'pale blue' or 'misty,' as in 缥缈 (dimly visible). 缦 (màn) has phonetic 曼 and means 'plain silk' or 'slow,' as in 缦立 (to stand gracefully). Visually, 缱 has 遣 on the right, 缥 has 票, and 缦 has 曼—these different components change both pronunciation and meaning entirely.

缱 is almost always used in the literary two-character word 缱绻 (qiǎn quǎn), which describes a deep, inseparable love or affection between two people. It appears in poetry, romantic literature, and formal wedding blessings, but is rarely spoken in daily conversation. Culturally, it evokes the classical ideal of devoted, eternal love, often associated with ancient Chinese love stories.

Common words containing 缱 include: 缱绻 (qiǎn quǎn) — Deeply attached; lingering love; 缱绻情深 (qiǎn quǎn qíng shēn) — Deeply in love; profound affection; 缱绻难舍 (qiǎn quǎn nán shě) — Deeply attached and hard to part.