Definition
掺 (chān) means to mix one substance into another, often with the connotation of adulterating or diluting (e.g., adding water to wine). It differs from 拌 (bàn), which is for mixing ingredients together (like tossing a salad), and from 搅 (jiǎo), which means to stir vigorously. 混 (hùn) is more general 'to mix' and can also mean 'to muddle through'; 掺 implies a deliberate addition of one thing into another.
verb
to mix (one substance into another)to blend into adulterate (by adding something)
Easily confused
- 惨cǎnlook-aliketragic, disastrous, miserable
- 缠chánsound-aliketo wind around, to coil, to wrap
- 渗shènlook-aliketo seep, to ooze
- 产chǎnsound-aliketo produce, to manufacture, to yield
- 铲chǎnsound-alikespade; shovel (noun)
- 搀chānsound-aliketo take by the arm and assist (e.g., an elderly or injured person)
- 馋chánsound-alike(adjective) gluttonous, greedy for food; fond of eating
Examples
- 掺。Tā zài tāng lǐ chān le yì diǎn yán.He mixed a little salt into the soup.
- 掺。Zhè zhǒng túliào xūyào chān rù shìliàng de shuǐ.This paint needs an appropriate amount of water mixed in.
- 掺。Bié bǎ gèrén gǎnqíng chān dào gōngzuò zhōng.Don't mix personal feelings into work.
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