(cán)

HSK 69 strokesTrad.

to destroy

Stroke order animation

Character information

Pinyin
cán
Meaning
to destroy; to spoil; to ruin; to injure; cruel; oppressive; savage; brutal; incomplete; disabled; to remain; to survive; remnant; surplus
Strokes
9
HSK level
HSK 6
Traditional

Origin & structure

Where comes from and how its parts fit together.

Phonetic-semantic compound⿰歹戋

In this compound, the meaning comes from (death); supplies the sound.

One part carries the meaning, the other suggests the sound.

Made of

Parts are arranged left to right.

How to write step by step

9 strokes — each frame adds one stroke, shown in dark ink over the lighter ones.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9

Words with

Common words using — tap any character to open its stroke-order page.

shāngcán
HSK 7-9

disabled; maimed; crippled; (of objects) damaged

Open 伤残 page →
xiōngcán
HSK 7-9

savage; cruel; fierce

Open 凶残 page →
cánrěn
HSK 7-9

cruel; merciless; ruthless

Open 残忍 page →
zhùcán

to help people with disabilities

Open 助残 page →

to cherish the outmoded and preserve the outworn (idiom); conservative

Open 抱残守缺 page →

to gather and patch up sth that is badly damaged (idiom)

Open 收残缀轶 page →

Related characters

Ready to master 残?

Trace 残 stroke by stroke in the online practice tool, or turn it into a printable worksheet PDF with Tianzige practice grids, pinyin, and stroke-order breakdowns.