掺 (chān) — to mix (one substance into another), to blend in, to adulterate (by adding something)
Definition
掺 (chān) means to mix or blend one substance (often a liquid or powder) into another — often with a sense of dilution or adulteration, more deliberate than 混. Distinct from 搀, which means to support someone by the arm.
verb
to mix (one substance into another)to blend into adulterate (by adding something)
Examples
- 掺。Tā zài tāng lǐ chān le yì diǎn yán.He mixed a little salt into the soup.
- 掺。Zhè zhǒng tú liào xū yào chān rù shì liàng de shuǐ.This paint needs an appropriate amount of water mixed in.
- 掺。Bié bǎ gè rén gǎn qíng chān dào gōng zuò zhōng.Don't mix personal feelings into work.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 摻; 掺 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
參
參cān摻
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The traditional form 摻 shows 手 (hand) and uses 參 to give the sound; the simplified 掺 is a later shorthand.
Appears in
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