穿

to wear

JLPT N5 9 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage of 穿

The primary meaning of 穿 is "to wear" clothes or shoes. It is commonly used to describe putting on garments or footwear, as in 穿衣服 (wear clothes) or 穿 (wear shoes). This verb is very frequent in daily conversation and can be used with various clothing items.

Extended Meanings

Besides wearing, 穿 also means "to go through" or "to pierce". For example, 穿 means "to pass through a crowd," and 穿 means "to thread a needle." This spatial sense is important and appears often in descriptions of movement or penetration.

Common Collocations

  • 穿衣服: to wear clothes, the most basic collocation.
  • 穿: to wear shoes.
  • 穿西: to wear a suit, often for formal occasions or work.
  • 穿 + noun: to go through or pass through something (e.g., 穿森林).

Register and Tone

穿 is neutral and suitable for both spoken and written Chinese. It is not formal or informal specifically, so it fits everyday contexts well.

Common Confusion

Don't confuse 穿 with , which means "to wear" accessories like glasses, hats, or jewelry. 穿 is for clothes and shoes, while is for items worn on the head, face, or hands.

Understanding these distinctions will help you use 穿 accurately in conversation and writing.

Example Sentences

It's very cold today, you should wear more clothes.

He wears a suit to work every day.

She likes to wear red high heels to parties.

This needle can go through the fabric.

He passed through the crowd and walked toward the exit.