Meanings of 侃
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About 侃
Podcast: 侃
Podcast: 侃
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AI Study Notes for 侃
唠 (láo) - use 侃 (kǎn) when emphasizing a cheerful and boastful tone in conversation, while 唠 (láo) focuses more on the act of talking or chattering without the same connotation of boastfulness.
Be mindful not to confuse 侃 with similar words that have a more serious tone. It is an informal term, so it’s best used in casual conversations among friends rather than in formal settings. Common collocations include 侃大山 (kǎn dà shān), meaning to chat idly or to gossip.
While 侃 is not listed in the HSK vocabulary, learners can connect it to other words involving conversation or communication at this level. Focus on its usage in informal contexts to enhance conversational skills.
Learners sometimes use 侃 in formal contexts, which can sound out of place. For instance, saying 侃 to describe a business meeting would be incorrect; use 讨论 (tǎolùn) instead for more serious discussions.
Pronunciation of 侃
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Etymology of 侃
As trustworthy 㐰 as spring-water 川
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 侃
- 1The giveawayAs trustworthy 㐰 as spring-water 川
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 侃? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 侃?
Decomposition of 侃
Identify the Components
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How to say upright and honest in Chinese
“upright and honest” in Chinese is侃
The character 侃 (kǎn) primarily means to chat idly or boast. It conveys a sense of smooth and cheerful conversation, often associated with a friendly and amiable manner. While it can denote honesty and uprightness, it's commonly used in informal contexts to describe light-hearted banter or casual discussions.
When to use 侃
Be mindful not to confuse 侃 with similar words that have a more serious tone. It is an informal term, so it’s best used in casual conversations among friends rather than in formal settings. Common collocations include 侃大山 (kǎn dà shān), meaning to chat idly or to gossip.
侃 or something close to it
唠 (láo) - use 侃 (kǎn) when emphasizing a cheerful and boastful tone in conversation, while 唠 (láo) focuses more on the act of talking or chattering without the same connotation of boastfulness.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes use 侃 in formal contexts, which can sound out of place. For instance, saying 侃 to describe a business meeting would be incorrect; use 讨论 (tǎolùn) instead for more serious discussions.
Write 侃
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Practice writing 侃 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 侃
侃 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他即兴调____起了一段剧本。
He began comically ad-libbing a script.
Example Sentences for 侃 (1)
Word Family of 侃
Compound Meaning
What does 调侃 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 侃
侃 is best used in informal settings, such as chatting with friends or during casual gatherings.
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