Meanings of 損
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About 損
Podcast: 損
Podcast: 損
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AI Study Notes for 損
损 (sǔn) vs 伤 (shāng) — use 损 for damage in a broader context, including financial or emotional loss, while 伤 specifically refers to physical injury.
Learners often confuse 損 with similar characters like 失 (shī), which also relates to loss but in a different context. This character is often used in both formal and informal settings, so it's versatile. Note that 損 is typically used in a negative context, so be cautious of the tone when using it in conversation.
Although 損 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is useful for learners at HSK 4-5 level who are expanding their vocabulary related to finance and emotional expressions. Focus on collocations like 損失 (sǔnshī) meaning 'loss' and 損害 (sǔnhài) meaning 'to harm'.
Learners often misuse 損 when they mean to say 'lose' (失). For example, saying '我損了我的錢' (Wǒ sǔnle wǒ de qián) is incorrect; it should be '我失去了我的錢' (Wǒ shīqùle wǒ de qián).
Pronunciation of 損
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Etymology of 損
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 员 represents the sound. Simplified form of 損.
hand
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 損
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 员 represents the sound. Simplified form of 損.
- 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half員 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayhand
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
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Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 損
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How to say to damage, to harm in Chinese
“to damage, to harm” in Chinese is損
The character 損 (sǔn) means to damage or to harm something, often in the context of loss or detriment. It is commonly used to describe physical damage, financial loss, or emotional harm. Understanding this term is crucial when discussing consequences or negative outcomes in various situations.
When to use 損
Learners often confuse 損 with similar characters like 失 (shī), which also relates to loss but in a different context. This character is often used in both formal and informal settings, so it's versatile. Note that 損 is typically used in a negative context, so be cautious of the tone when using it in conversation.
損 or something close to it
损 (sǔn) vs 伤 (shāng) — use 损 for damage in a broader context, including financial or emotional loss, while 伤 specifically refers to physical injury.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 損 when they mean to say 'lose' (失). For example, saying '我損了我的錢' (Wǒ sǔnle wǒ de qián) is incorrect; it should be '我失去了我的錢' (Wǒ shīqùle wǒ de qián).
Write 損
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Practice writing 損 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Cultural Notes for 損
While both Chinese and Western cultures recognize the importance of loss and damage, Western discussions may focus more on individualism and personal gain, while Chinese perspectives often emphasize community and collective repercussions.
Word Family of 損
Compound Meaning
What does 损失 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 損
Common phrases include 損失 (sǔnshī) meaning loss and 損害 (sǔnhài) meaning to harm.
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