添 (tiān) — to add, to increase, to replenish
Definition
添 is a colloquial verb for adding a small amount to what's already there (water, names, trouble). More informal than 添加, and focused on quantity — unlike 补充 which fills a missing gap.
verb
to addto increaseto replenish
Easily confused
Examples
- ，添。Bēi zi lǐ de shuǐ shǎo le, wǒ gěi nǐ tiān yì diǎn.The water in your cup is low, let me add a bit for you.
- 。Tā zǒng ài zài bié rén shuō huà shí tiān luàn.He always likes to interrupt and cause trouble when others are speaking.
- 添。Qǐng zài míng dān shàng tiān shàng nǐ de míng zì.Please add your name to the list.
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
忝
忝tiǎn添tiān
Same sound today
添 pairs 水 (water) with 忝, which gives its sound; the shape pictures increasing by pouring more water in.
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