Definition
沾边 is a separable verb (离合词) used in colloquial Chinese. It means 'to be relevant to' or 'to be connected with' something, often in negative or conditional contexts. The verb 沾 can separate from 边 — you can insert a resultative complement like 得上 or 不上 between them (e.g., 沾得上边 'can be connected', 沾不上边 'cannot be connected'). It is most frequently used in the negative to mean 'have nothing to do with'.
v.o.
to be relevant / connected to (something)to have bearing on(often in negative) to be nowhere nearto be wide of the mark
Examples
- 沾边。Zhè jiàn shì gēn wǒ yìdiǎn dōu zhān biān.This matter has nothing to do with me at all.
- 。Tā de dá'àn gēnběn zhān bú shàng biān.His answer is completely off the mark.
- 沾边。Nǐ shuō de zhèxiē gēn wèntí wánquán bù zhān biān.What you're saying has nothing to do with the question.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.