掺

chān

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb

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This word has multiple dictionary entries. Choose the reading or usage you want to review.

掺

chān Verb to adulterate; to blend

掺

shǎn to grasp

Definitions

1. to adulterate
2. to blend
3. to mix

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Stroke order

11 strokes

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Word relationships

Register variants

1 item

• 搀 chān 搀 chān to take by the arm and assist Note: 搀 is a variant form used specifically for 'to mix' meaning, while 掺 covers both 'mix' and 'adulterate'.: to take by the arm and assist

Related words

1 item

• 兑 duì 兑 duì to cash 兑 is often used when mixing liquids, especially diluting.: to cash

Synonyms

1 item

• 混合 hùn hé 混合 hùn hé to mix 混合 is a general term for mixing, whereas 掺 often implies adding something, sometimes with a negative connotation.: to mix

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used in negative contexts like 掺假 (chānjiǎ, to adulterate) or 掺水 (chānshuǐ, to water down). Avoid using it for neutral mixing of equal substances; use 混合 instead.

Common mistakes

掺 (chān) is often confused with 搀 (chān). While 搀 can also mean 'to mix' in traditional usage, modern standard Chinese tends to reserve 掺 for mixing/adulterating, and 搀 for 'to support or help by the arm'.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他在牛奶里 掺 了水。

He mixed water into the milk.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 掺

• 掺假 掺假 chān jiǎ: to mix in fake material
• 掺水 掺水 chān shuǐ: to dilute