How to Write 绽 (zhàn) — Meaning “to burst open; to split”

Imagine a silk thread (纟) that is stretched tight and fixed (定), but suddenly it snaps and bursts apart. The visual of the thread breaking helps you remember that 绽 means to burst open or split.

Pay attention to the right component 定: the top part is 宀 (roof) and below is 疋, not 足. Be careful not to add an extra stroke; the bottom of 定 has a vertical stroke that connects to the horizontal, forming a proper 疋 shape. Also, balance the left side narrower than the right.

绽 (zhàn) means to burst open, while 绑 (bǎng) means to tie or bind, and 绒 (róng) means velvet or fine hair. Visually, 绽 uses 定 on the right, while 绑 uses 邦 (state) and 绒 uses 戎 (weapon). Their meanings are completely different: 绽 is about opening, 绑 is about fastening, and 绒 is about soft texture.

绽 is commonly used in words like 绽放 (zhànfàng) for flowers blooming or smiles bursting forth, and 破绽 (pòzhàn) meaning a flaw or weak point in a plan or argument. It often appears in poetic or descriptive language to express something opening up or revealing an unexpected gap.

Common words containing 绽 include: 绽放 (zhàn fàng) — to blossom; to burst forth; 绽开 (zhàn kāi) — to burst open; to bloom; 破绽 (pò zhàn) — flaw / weak point.