谙 (ān) — to know well, to be versed in (literary)
Definition
Literary/formal verb meaning 'to know well, to be versed in' — used almost only in set phrases like 谙熟. For ordinary 'to know' (a fact), use 知道.
verb
to know wellto be versed in (literary)
Easily confused
- 暗ànlook-alikedark (lacking light)
- 安ānsound-alike(adjective) calm, peaceful, safe, secure
- 音yīnlook-alikesound, tone (especially musical or acoustic quality)
- 氨ānsound-alikeammonia
- 鞍ānsound-alikesaddle (bound form, appears only in compounds)
- 庵ānsound-alike(noun) small Buddhist or Taoist temple, especially a nunnery
Examples
- 。Tā shēn ān cǐ dào.He is deeply versed in this field.
- 谙。ān Shú lì shǐ de rén kě yǐ yù jiàn wèi lái.People well versed in history can foresee the future.
- ，。Tā shēn ān shī huà, zhè shì tā zuì shòu zūn jìng de yuán yīn.He is deeply versed in poetry and painting, which is the reason he is most respected.
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 諳; 谙 is its simplified writing.
The traditional form 諳 pairs 言 (speech) with 音 as a sound component; the simplified 谙 is a shorthand, so its parts are not the historical ones.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.