沾 (zhān) — to touch (and get something on), to come into contact with; to benefit from association (in 沾光)
Definition
沾 (zhān) means to touch lightly and pick something up (e.g., paint, dust), plus the set phrase 沾光 ('benefit by association'). Unlike 碰, it implies contact leaves something on you.
verb
to touch (and get something on)to come into contact withto benefit from association (in 沾光)
Examples
- 沾。Xiǎo xīn bié zhān shàng yóu qī.Be careful not to get paint on you.
- 沾。Tā zǒng shì xiǎng zhān bié rén de guāng.He always wants to benefit from others.
- 。Tā de huà gēn zhè jiàn shì bù zhān biān.His words have nothing to do with this matter.
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.
The left part 水 is water, so the shape fits meanings like moisten and soak; the right part 占 gives the sound.
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