surname Wen

JLPT N5 9 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage of (wén)

The character primarily means "to hear" or "to smell." It is used both for perceiving sounds and odors. For example, you can say to express smelling a fragrance. It also appears in contexts related to hearing news or information, often in formal or literary styles.

Common Collocations

  • (wén dào): to smell or detect a scent
  • (wén shuō): to hear of, to be told
  • (wén míng): to be famous, literally "heard name"

Notes

is often interchangeable with when referring to hearing, but is more common in everyday speech for "to listen" or "to hear." carries a slightly more formal or literary tone and can also emphasize the act of perceiving by smell. Avoid confusing with (wèn), which means "to ask."

Example Sentences

I smelled the fragrance of flowers.

Have you heard? He is getting married.

I got this news from the news report.