How to Write 漩 (xuán) — Meaning “whirlpool / swirl”

Q: What is a good memory trick to remember 漩?

Picture water (氵) spinning around like a top — the right side 旋 looks like a little spinning shape. Remember: "water spins" makes a whirlpool.

Q: What should I watch out for when writing 漩?

Start with the three dots of 氵 on the left, then write the right side 旋: first 方, then the short horizontal and 人, and finally the walk radical 辶. A common error is forgetting the horizontal stroke between 方 and 人.

Q: How is 漩 different from 渝 and 渡?

渝 has the radical 俞 on the right and means "change" or appears in the city name Chongqing. 渡 has 度 on the right and means "to cross" a river. 漩 always has 旋 on the right and relates to spinning water.

Q: When is 漩 used in modern Chinese?

漩 appears in words like 漩涡 (whirlpool or vortex) and 漩流 (eddy or swirl). It is mainly used in scientific or literary descriptions of swirling water or chaotic situations, not in everyday conversation.

Q: What common words use 漩?

Common words containing 漩 include: 漩涡 (xuán wō) — whirlpool / vortex; 漩流 (xuán liú) — eddy / swirl; 漩心 (xuán xīn) — center of a whirlpool.

xuán 14 strokes Radical: 氵

漩 (xuán) means "whirlpool / swirl" in Chinese. It has 14 strokes with the radical 氵.

Rated 4.2/5 in difficulty (advanced).

Appears in 3+ common words including 漩涡 (xuán wō), 漩流 (xuán liú), 漩心 (xuán xīn).

Due to its 14 strokes, Hanzi Writer's error detection shows 漩 requires focused practice — most learners need 10+ attempts for consistent accuracy.

Practice Writing 漩 (xuán)

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

App Store ▶ Google Play

How to Write 漩

The character 漩 (xuán) is written with 14 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 氵 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.

What Does xuán (漩) Mean in Chinese?

漩 means whirlpool / swirl.

Character Data

Character	漩
Pinyin	xuán (xuan)
Meaning	whirlpool / swirl
Strokes	14
Radical	氵
Difficulty	4.2/5

Origin of 漩

This compound character combines the water radical 氵 (shuǐ, meaning water) with 旋 (xuán, meaning to spin or revolve). Together they depict water that spins around, forming a whirlpool.

💡 Memory Tip: Imagine a whirlpool where water (氵) spins (旋) around and around, sucking everything into its center.

Common Words with 漩

漩涡 xuán wō

whirlpool / vortex

漩流 xuán liú

eddy / swirl

漩心 xuán xīn

center of a whirlpool

Example Sentences

水里有一个大漩涡。

shuǐ lǐ yǒu yí gè dà xuán wō

There is a large whirlpool in the water.

这里的漩流很危险。

zhè lǐ de xuán liú hěn wēi xiǎn

The whirlpools here are very dangerous.

漩心在不停转动。

xuán xīn zài bù tíng zhuǎn dòng

The center of the whirlpool is spinning constantly.

Similar Characters Comparison

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Radical
漩 (current)	xuán	14	氵
渝	yú	12	氵
渡	dù	12	氵
渣	zhā	12	氵

Practice Writing 漩 (xuán)

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

✨ Animated stroke order · Handwriting recognition · HSK-graded practice · Free to use

App Store ▶ Google Play

Frequently Asked Questions about 漩

What are the components of 漩 and how do they relate to its meaning?

漩 is made of the water radical 氵 on the left and 旋 (xuán, meaning "revolve" or "spin") on the right. Together, water that spins forms a whirlpool or swirl.

What is a good memory trick to remember 漩?

What should I watch out for when writing 漩?

How is 漩 different from 渝 and 渡?

When is 漩 used in modern Chinese?

What common words use 漩?

How to Write 漩 (xuán) — Meaning “whirlpool / swirl”

Practice Writing 漩 (xuán)

How to Write 漩

What Does xuán (漩) Mean in Chinese?

Character Data

Origin of 漩

Common Words with 漩

Example Sentences

Similar Characters Comparison

Practice Writing 漩 (xuán)

Frequently Asked Questions about 漩

Characters with Radical 氵

Other 14-Stroke Characters