悬 from HSK Level 6 Vocabulary List

The Chinese character 悬 (xuán) is composed of two parts: the radical 糸 (mì) and the phonetic component 宣 (xuān). The radical 糸 represents silk or thread, while the phonetic component 宣 is a simplified form of the character 旋 (xuán), which means "to turn" or "to revolve." Together, these two components suggest the idea of something hanging or suspended.The character 悬 has a rich history and has been used in Chinese writing for thousands of years. It is often used in the sense of "to hang" or "to suspend," as in the phrase 悬挂 (xuánguà), which means "to hang up." It can also be used in the sense of "to be uncertain" or "to be in doubt," as in the phrase 悬而未决 (xuán'ér wèi jué), which means "to be undecided."In addition to its literal meanings, the character 悬 can also be used in a more figurative sense. For example, it can be used to describe someone who is in a state of suspense or anxiety, as in the phrase 悬着一颗心 (xuánzhe yī kē xīn), which means "to have a heart hanging in the air." It can also be used to describe something that is extraordinary or unusual, as in the phrase 悬殊 (xuánshū), which means "to be very different."Overall, the character 悬 is a versatile and expressive character that can be used in a variety of contexts. Its rich history and multiple meanings make it an interesting and rewarding character to study for HSK learners.