Definition
占 (zhàn) is a general verb meaning 'to occupy, take up' — it works for seats, time, space, or a proportion. It's broader and more colloquial than the compound verbs: 占据 emphasizes physical or strategic holding, 占领 implies capture/conquest, 占用 focuses on time or resources, and 占有 means 'own, possess' (property, data).
verb
to occupyto take up (space, time, or a position)
Easily confused
- 右yòulook-alikeright side; right (direction)
- 站zhànsound-alikestation (bus, train, etc.)
- 害hàilook-alike(verb) to harm, to cause trouble to
- 站zhànsound-alike(verb) to stand
- 后hòulook-alikebehind; back (in space)
- 粘zhānsound-aliketo stick, to glue, to adhere
- 告gàolook-aliketo sue, to file a lawsuit against
- 沾zhānsound-aliketo touch (and get something on), to come into contact with
- 同tónglook-alike(adjective) same, similar
- 盏zhǎnsound-alike(classifier) for lamps, lanterns, and other light sources (also literary: small cup)
Examples
- 占。Zhège zuòwèi yǐjīng yǒu rén zhàn le.This seat is already taken.
- 占。Xiě bàogào zhàn le wǒ yí gè xiàwǔ.Writing the report took up my whole afternoon.
- 占。Wàizī zhàn le gōngsī bǎi fēn zhī sānshí de gǔfèn.Foreign capital occupies thirty percent of the company's shares.
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