Definition
惨 (cǎn) means 'tragic, disastrous, miserable' and can also mean 'cruel, inhuman'. It is more versatile than 悲惨 (bēi cǎn), which focuses on a pitiful state, and contrasts with 残酷 (cán kù), which describes cruelty as a behavior or attitude rather than a result.
adjective
tragicdisastrousmiserablecruelinhuman
Easily confused
- 掺chānlook-aliketo mix (one substance into another), to blend in, to adulterate (by adding something)
- 残cánsound-aliketo damage, to injure, to destroy
- 渗shènlook-aliketo seep, to ooze
Examples
- 惨。Zhè cì dìzhèn tài cǎn le.This earthquake was too tragic.
- 惨。tā duìdài shǒuxià de fāngshì hěn cǎn rěn.The way he treats his subordinates is very cruel.
- 。tā shēngbìng hòu liǎnsè cǎn bái.After getting sick, his complexion became very pale.
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