含 meaning and stroke order
To keep in the mouth; to contain
How to write 含, stroke by stroke
7 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Meaning of 含
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to keep in the mouth
- to contain
How 含 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Mouth.
口 gives the meaning and 今 hints at the sound.
Radical: 口 (mouth), shared by 428 characters on this site.
How to remember 含
含 is 今 (jīn, now) sitting on top of 口 (mouth). Picture something held in your mouth right now, not swallowed yet. 今 also hints at the sound, since jīn and hán once sounded closer.
含 is rarely used alone in daily speech except for literally holding something in the mouth. It mostly appears in words like 包含 (bāohán), 含有 (hányǒu) and 含量 (hánliàng). Example: 这种水果含有很多维生素。 (Zhè zhǒng shuǐguǒ hányǒu hěn duō wéishēngsù.) This fruit contains a lot of vitamins.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 含 with 合 (hé, to close, to combine), which also has 口 at the bottom but a different top. Remember that 含 has 今 on top, with a small dot-like stroke under the roof, and is read with a rising tone, hán.
Common words with 含
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 包含 | bāohán | to contain; to embody | HSK 4 |
| 含义 | hányì | meaning (implicit in a phrase); implied meaning | HSK 4 |
| 含有 | hányǒu | to contain; including | HSK 4 |
| 含量 | hánliàng | content; quantity contained | HSK 4 |
| 含糊 | hánhu | ambiguous; vague | HSK 7-9 |
| 富含 | fùhán | to contain in great quantities; rich in | HSK 7-9 |
| 含蓄 | hánxù | to contain; to hold | HSK 7-9 |
含 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 含
How many strokes are in 含?
含 is written with 7 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 含 mean?
含 (hán) means to keep in the mouth; to contain. A common word with it is 包含 (bāohán), meaning "to contain; to embody".
How do you pronounce 含?
含 is pronounced hán, in the second tone (rising).
What is the radical of 含?
The radical of 含 is 口, which carries the idea of "mouth". Dictionaries list 含 under this radical.
Is 含 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 含 is part of the HSK 4 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 3.
What is the difference between 包含 and 含有?
含有 usually means a substance or thing contains an ingredient or element, like vitamins or alcohol. 包含 is broader and often means a whole includes parts, like a price including tax or a plan including several steps.
What does 含蓄 mean when describing a person?
When describing people or speech, 含蓄 (hánxù) means reserved or implicit, expressing feelings indirectly rather than openly. It is often a compliment for subtle, tactful writing or behavior.