HanziGuru.宪 · xiàn
宪
xiàn[xian4]Tone 4

constitution

HSK 7
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憲
Guru Deep Dive

English · constitution

Cached lesson
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Topology:Full enclosure
Strokes:9
Writing Balance Rule: The outer enclosure (宀 and 目 combined or top structure) should generously shelter the bottom components, keeping the center of gravity stable and centered.
Simplification Logic: Simplified from 憲 by streamlining the internal brush strokes while maintaining the upper crown and lower structural elements.
1. Meaning

constitution (fundamental law or system of laws)

statutedecreelaw
NounFormal#law#government#politics
Sample Usage
  • 中华人民共和国宪法
    zhōnghuá rénmín gònghéguó xiànfǎ
    Constitution of the People's Republic of China
  • 违宪
    wéixiàn
    unconstitutional
2. Sound
/[ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹]/Tone: 51
宪
xiànxian4
++
`(51)
=xiàn
Build the syllable
Step-by-step blending
xian
Tone mark placement: Tone mark sits on "a" per main-vowel priority (a > e > o; in -iu/-ui the mark takes the second vowel).
Initial Consonant
x
Type: Alveolo-Palatal Fricative
Sounds like: sh sound in 'sheep' produced with the tongue blade raised toward the hard palate
Unaspirated
Airflow Tactile Test: Hissing friction with lips stretched wide in a smile.
Tongue & Mouth Position: The tip of the tongue rests behind the lower front teeth while the blade rises close to the hard palate.
Final Rhyme
ian
Vowel Group: -a vowel group
Sounds like: rhymes with 'yen'
Mouth Shape Guide: Pronounce as standalone vowel 'yen'.
Common Learner Trap: Keep vowel quality steady across all 4 tone contours.
Tone
T4 (51)
4th Tone (High-Falling)
Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 4 starts high and plunges quickly, matching an emphatic English command like 'No!' or 'Stop!'.
👂
Listening trap: Confusing the alveolo-palatal 'x-' with retroflex 'sh-' or dental 's-'. Ensure the tongue blade is flattened against the roof of the mouth for 'xi-'.
👋
Physical Tone Gesture: Tone 4 drops sharply like a command or a nod of finality. Move your hand briskly downward from head height to chest level.
3. Writing

Topology: Full enclosure · Strokes: 9 strokes

Writing Balance Rule: The outer enclosure (宀 and 目 combined or top structure) should generously shelter the bottom components, keeping the center of gravity stable and centered.

Simplification Logic: Simplified from 憲 by streamlining the internal brush strokes while maintaining the upper crown and lower structural elements.

4. Components

Radical 宀 · Roof radical (roof or building)

Semantic Clue (形旁): 心 (Heart, representing mind, intent, or decree)

A roof (宀) sheltering a legal eye (目) or target, backed by the heart (心) and a restrictive weapon or restraint, representing official laws issued from authority.

  • 宀 roof / building
  • 目 eye / observation
  • 心 heart / mind
5. History
Liushu category: Phono-semantic (形声)

Origin: Originally composed of elements indicating a binding law or regulation emanating from a central authority under a roof, later evolving to mean state constitution and statutes.

Semantic Evolution: Shifted from broad decrees and laws in ancient times to specifically denote the supreme law of a nation (constitution) in modern terminology.

  • The character bridges ancient imperial statutes with modern constitutional law.
6. Sinosphere
🇻🇳
Sino-Vietnamese
hiến
The Sino-Vietnamese reading 'hiến' shares a direct etymological root with Mandarin 'xiàn' and corresponds to a sắc (rising) tone.
🇯🇵
Kanji (Japanese)
On: ケン (ken)
🇰🇷
Hanja (Korean)
헌
Sound Shift Bridge: Mandarin initial 'x-' frequently corresponds to Sino-Japanese 'k-' or 'h-' (e.g., 宪 ken) and Sino-Vietnamese 'h-' (hiến).
7. Memory
Vivid Mnemonic Story

Under the roof (宀), an official with a sharp eye (目) and a resolute heart (心) writes down the national CONSTITUTION (xiàn) so everyone follows the law.

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)
先
xiānfirst, beforehand, earlierPhonetic Core (声旁)
洗
xǐto wash+ 氵 (water)
选
xuǎnto choose+ 辶 (walking)
冼
xiǎnsurname Xian+ 冫 (ice)
Explore this family →
Lookalikes & Traps (形近字)
县(xiàn)
县 means 'county' and is a simpler form, whereas 宪 contains elements for law, heart, and governance (constitution).
8. Mastery
Active Recall Challenge
我们要严格遵守国家[___]。
Clue: xiàn
Common Learner Pitfall

Confusing 宪 (xiàn, constitution) with 现 (xiàn, present/now) due to identical pinyin syllables and tones.

Memory Prompts
Recognition: What is the meaning and pronunciation of 宪?
Production: How do you write the character for 'constitution' (xiàn)?
Real-World Video Context

Watch authentic native speakers pronounce and explain this word in real-world YouTube videos.

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