Learn Chinese Characters

Meaning

worthy (person)

Chinese: 有德行、有才能的人。

Hear the Four Tones

The same syllable “xian” becomes a different word in each tone. 贤 is the 2nd tone. Tap any tone to hear a native voice and see its pitch shape.

Stroke Order

Tap Animate to watch the strokes in order, or Practice to trace it yourself.

Common Words

  • 圣贤shèng xiána sage; wise and holy man; virtuous ruler; Buddhist lama
  • 贤人xián réngreat person of the past; venerable forebear; the great and the good
  • 贤能xián néngsage
  • 前贤qián xiánsages of the past; worthy predecessors
  • 贤明xián míngwise and capable; sagacious

Example Sentence

古人提倡尊敬贤能的人。Gǔ rén tí chàng zūn jìng xián néng de rén.The ancients advocated respecting the virtuous and able.

古人Gǔ rénpeople of ancient times提倡tí chàngto promote尊敬zūn jìngto respect贤能xián néngsagedeofrénperson