勉 miǎn — exert, encourage · English

勉

miǎn

exert, encourage

At a glance · 勉

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

小篆从力免声，形声字，本指努力、劝勉。隶楷作「勉」。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「勉」本指奋勉，引申为勉励、勉强。

Structure

形声字，力为意符，免为声符。

At a glance

Pinyinmiǎn

Radical力

Strokes9

UnicodeU+52C9

Character type形声

Theme德行

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English exert, encourage To exert; to encourage, strive.

Français efforter, encourager S'efforcer; encourager, s'efforcer.

Español esforzarse, animar Esforzarse; animar, instar.

العربية يجتهد، يشجّع يجتهد أو يشجّع.

Русский усердствовать, поощрять Прилагать усилия; поощрять, стараться.

Common words

勉励miǎn lìencourage
勉miǎnstrive

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