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掺

chān
HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb

Select an entry

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

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Character focus

Stroke order

11 strokes

Word relationships

Register variants

1 item
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'.

Related words

1 item
兑
duì

to cash

兑 is often used when mixing liquids, especially diluting.

Synonyms

1 item
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.

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
chān jiǎ

to mix in fake material

掺水
chān shuǐ

to dilute