# Juan

/ˈhwɑn/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/juan
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a book scroll

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a traditional Chinese book scroll or a single chapter in a very old book.

For teachers: a scroll of a traditional Chinese book, often serving as a bibliographical division equivalent to a chapter or fascicle.

- The ancient history of China was divided into many different juan.
- The scholar spent years translating the third juan of the historical text, which detailed the administrative reforms of the early dynasty.

Usage: Usually remains 'juan' in the plural when used in a technical academic context.

Teaching tip: This is a highly specialized term used in East Asian studies; most learners will only encounter it in academic or museum contexts.

## Examples

- My friend Juan lives in Madrid.
- The teacher called on Juan to answer the question about Spanish history.
- While the name Juan is traditionally associated with Spanish-speaking cultures, its various forms appear across many different languages and regions due to its biblical origins.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.