(shǎn) — to dodge, to duck out of the way; to flash, to appear suddenly (of light, lightning, or a thought); to sprain, to pull a muscle

Definition

闪 covers three distinct senses: dodging a blow, a sudden flash of light/thought, and spraining a muscle. For dodging, 躲 means to hide or get out of the way more generally; 闪 emphasizes a quick, sudden side-step.

verb
to dodgeto duck out of the wayto flashto appear suddenly (of light, lightning, or a thought)to sprainto pull a muscle

Examples

  • Tā shǎn dào yì biān, ràng chē guò qù.
    He dodged to the side to let the car pass.
  • Yí dào shǎn diàn shǎn guò tiān kōng.
    A flash of lightning streaked across the sky.
  • 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.