Meanings of 尷
By ear
Play it, then pick what 尷 means.
About 尷
Podcast: 尷
Podcast: 尷
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 尷
尷尬 (gān gà, awkward) — use 尷 (gān) when referring specifically to a feeling of embarrassment rather than the broader sense of awkwardness conveyed by 尷尬.
Learners often confuse 尷 with similar emotions like 'shy' or 'nervous,' but 尷 specifically conveys a sense of embarrassment. It is more common in informal contexts, but can also appear in slightly formal discussions about social behavior. Be mindful of the tone; the third tone of 尷 can be tricky.
Although 尷 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial for students at HSK 4 and above to understand this term due to its relevance in conversational Mandarin. Focus on using it in appropriate social contexts to express feelings.
Learners sometimes mix up 尷 with 尴尬 (gān'gà), which is more commonly used in everyday speech. For instance, saying '我觉得很尷' instead of '我觉得很尴尬' can sound unnatural. Stick to 尴尬 for most situations.
Pronunciation of 尷
Drill the tone of 尷 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 尷 to You
Let me explain 尷 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 尷 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 尷?
Learning Lab
Knowing 尷 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 尷
Phonosemantic compound. 尢 represents the meaning and 监 represents the sound. Simplified form of 尷.
lame
Origin
尷 = 尢 + 監. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 尷
Parts
Which of these is part of 尷?
How to say embarrassed; ill-at-ease in Chinese
“embarrassed; ill-at-ease” in Chinese is尷
The character 尷 (gān) means 'embarrassed' or 'ill-at-ease.' It is commonly used to describe a feeling of discomfort or awkwardness in social situations, such as when one feels out of place or ashamed. This term often appears in expressions discussing social interactions and emotional responses.
When to use 尷
Learners often confuse 尷 with similar emotions like 'shy' or 'nervous,' but 尷 specifically conveys a sense of embarrassment. It is more common in informal contexts, but can also appear in slightly formal discussions about social behavior. Be mindful of the tone; the third tone of 尷 can be tricky.
尷 or something close to it
尷尬 (gān gà, awkward) — use 尷 (gān) when referring specifically to a feeling of embarrassment rather than the broader sense of awkwardness conveyed by 尷尬.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes mix up 尷 with 尴尬 (gān'gà), which is more commonly used in everyday speech. For instance, saying '我觉得很尷' instead of '我觉得很尴尬' can sound unnatural. Stick to 尴尬 for most situations.
Write 尷
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 尷 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 尷?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
Word Family of 尷
Words with 尷
What does 尴尬 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 尷
You can say '我觉得很尷尬' (wǒ juédé hěn gān'gà), which means 'I feel very embarrassed.'
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 尷?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.