擅 (shàn) — (bound form) be good at; (bound form) do something without authorization
Definition
Used almost only in two set verbs: 擅长 'be good at' (a skill, ability) and 擅自 'do something without authorization/permission'. On its own it is not a standalone word.
bound form
be good atdo something without authorization
Examples
- 。Tā fēi cháng shàn cháng biǎo dá zì jǐ de guān diǎn.He is very good at expressing his own opinions.
- ，。Tā shàn zì jué dìng le zhè jiàn shì, méi yǒu wèn rèn hé rén.He decided on this matter without authorization, without asking anyone.
- ，。Zài yīn yuè fāng miàn, tā fēi cháng shàn cháng.She is very good at music.
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.
Sound part声符shēngfú
亶
亶dǎn擅shàn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
擅 combines 手 (hands) with 亶, which gives the sound.
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