卷

• Pinyin: juǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 卷 = 龹 (coiled/curled form) + 卩 (a kneeling figure indicating something bent or folded) — the image of a coiled scroll

Meaning

To roll up; to curl; a roll or scroll. Used as a verb for rolling or curling, and as a noun for a rolled-up object such as a scroll, volume, or exam paper.

As a verb (juǎn), 卷 describes rolling objects into a cylindrical shape, or being swept up by a force (e.g. 卷走 swept away). As a noun (juàn), it refers to exam papers (试卷), volumes of books (第一卷), or scrolls. Also used colloquially to mean intense competition or overworking (内卷, involution).

Examples

1. 她把海报卷起来，放进了筒里。 She rolled up the poster and put it into the tube.
2. 洪水把很多东西都卷走了。 The floodwater swept many things away.
3. 这套书共有三卷，我已经看完第一卷了。 This book set has three volumes; I have already finished the first one.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, physical actions, academic

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 把这张地图卷起来带走吧。(Roll up this map and take it with you.)
• 试卷发下来了，大家开始做。(The exam papers have been handed out — everyone start.)

Don't Say

• 我卷了我的头发用梳子 (Don't use 卷 with instrumental phrases this way — say 我用卷发棒卷了头发 to say you curled your hair with a curling iron)

Origin & History

Originally depicted a scroll or roll of cloth, with the character showing a curved, rolled form. The verb meaning of rolling derives from this image of a coiled scroll.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal