Definition
闪 (shǎn) is a versatile verb with three distinct meanings: 'to dodge' (like 躲 duǒ, but 闪 suggests a quick, sideways movement to avoid something), 'to flash' (of light or lightning — 闪电 shǎndiàn is the noun 'lightning'), and 'to sprain' (like 扭 niǔ, but 闪 is used for a sudden, sharp twist, often of the back or waist).
verb
to dodgeto duck out of the wayto flashto appear suddenly (of light, lightning, or a thought)to sprainto pull a muscle
Easily confused
- 问wènlook-aliketo ask
- 山shānsound-alikemountain; hill
- 闲xiánlook-alikefree (not busy), idle, unoccupied
- 扇shànsound-alikefan
- 间jiānlook-alike(classifier) for rooms, offices, and other enclosed spaces
- 扇shànsound-alike(classifier) for doors, windows, gates, folding screens (一∼门, 两∼窗)
- 闷mènlook-alike(adjective) bored, depressed, melancholy
- 善shànsound-alikevirtuous; kind-hearted; benevolent
- 们menlook-alike(suffix) plural marker for pronouns and nouns referring to people
- 删shānsound-aliketo delete
Examples
- 闪，。Tā shǎn dào yìbiān, ràng chē guòqù.He dodged to the side to let the car pass.
- 闪。Yí dào shǎndiàn shǎn guò tiānkōng.A flash of lightning streaked across the sky.
- 闪。Tā bān zhòng wù shí shǎn le yāo.He sprained his back while lifting something heavy.
Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.