Writing Balance Rule: The left radical (木) should be narrower and slightly compressed to leave ample room for the right phonetic component (歮/佥).
Simplification Logic: The traditional form 檢 uses 僉 on the right, which was standardized to 检 in simplified Chinese.
1. Meaning
to check, examine, or inspect
to exercise restraintto review or check over
VerbNeutral#action#investigation#evaluation
Sample Usage
请检查你的作业。
Qǐng jiǎnchá nǐ de zuòyè.
Please check your homework.
安全检查
ānquán jiǎnchá
security check / safety inspection
2. Sound
/[t͡ɕi̯än²¹⁴]/Tone: 214
檢
jiǎnjian3
|
++
ˇ(214)
=jiǎn
Initial Consonant
j
Type: Unaspirated Alveolo-Palatal
Sounds like: soft j (like 'g' in 'gee')
Unaspirated
Airflow Tactile Test: No air puff. Lips spread wide like smiling.
Tongue & Mouth Position: Front of the tongue pressed flat against the roof of the mouth behind the teeth, releasing gently.
Final Rhyme
ian
Vowel Group: -a vowel group
Sounds like: ee-an combined
Mouth Shape Guide: Pronounce as standalone vowel 'yen'.
Common Learner Trap: Keep vowel quality steady across all 4 tone contours.
Abbreviated Rhyme Rule: The 'i' acts as a front palatal glide leading into the open 'an' nucleus.
Tone
T3 (214)
2 → 1 → 4 (214)
3rd Tone (Low-Dipping)
Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 3 starts mid, dips low to the bottom of your vocal range, and rises slightly at the end, exactly like saying 'What?' in disbelief.
Sandhi: When followed by another 3rd tone syllable, jiǎn shifts to a 2nd tone (35).
👂
Listening trap: Do not confuse with jiān (Tone 1) or jiàn (Tone 4). The 3rd tone requires the characteristic low dip.
👋
Physical Tone Gesture: Trace a checkmark in the air: dip down from your chest and flick up.
3. Writing
Topology: Left-right · Strokes: 11 strokes
Writing Balance Rule: The left radical (木) should be narrower and slightly compressed to leave ample room for the right phonetic component (歮/佥).
Simplification Logic: The traditional form 檢 uses 僉 on the right, which was standardized to 检 in simplified Chinese.