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March 24, 2026
湛zhàn(Zhan4)
The character 湛 (zhàn) primarily refers to a calm, clear, and deep quality, often used to describe water, such as a serene lake. It can also serve as a surname, Zhan, indicating a family lineage. In contexts of nature, it evokes imagery of tranquility and purity in water bodies.
Strokes12Radical氵Frequency#67660DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the clarity and calmness of water are often associated with wisdom and tranquility, symbolizing a peaceful state of mind. The character 湛 can often be found in poetry that reflects on nature and inner peace.
Memory Tip
Imagine a serene lake with crystal-clear water, reflecting the sky. The character 湛 looks like water flowing deep (the left side represents water). Associate the sound 'zhàn' with the calmness of a zen-like experience as you gaze at the clear depths.
Meanings of 湛
zhàn(Zhan4)
1calm, clear, deep (as of a lake)
2clear (water)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 湛
湛Simplified
12Strokes
氵Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 湛
Podcast: 湛
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AI Study Notes for 湛
Usage Notes
湛 is often used in literary contexts or descriptive phrases. Learners should note that it is not commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more formal or poetic. A common collocation is '湛蓝' (zhànlán), meaning 'deep blue', often used to describe the sky or sea.
HSK Study Tips
While 湛 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects with other nature-related words, enhancing the learner's descriptive vocabulary. Students should focus on the radicals and components, especially understanding how water-related characters function in describing environments.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 湛 with similar-sounding characters like 战 (zhàn, to fight) due to pronunciation. Remember, 湛 relates to water and calmness, not conflict.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 湛
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1The giveawayA deep 甚 lake 氵; 甚 also provides the pronunciation
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 湛? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 湛?
Decomposition of 湛
IDS Structure⿰氵甚
湛Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
甚shen2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 湛?
How to say surname Zhan in Chinese
“surname Zhan” in Chinese is湛zhàn
The character 湛 (zhàn) primarily refers to a calm, clear, and deep quality, often used to describe water, such as a serene lake. It can also serve as a surname, Zhan, indicating a family lineage. In contexts of nature, it evokes imagery of tranquility and purity in water bodies.
When to use 湛
湛 is often used in literary contexts or descriptive phrases. Learners should note that it is not commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more formal or poetic. A common collocation is '湛蓝' (zhànlán), meaning 'deep blue', often used to describe the sky or sea.
What learners get wrong
Learners might confuse 湛 with similar-sounding characters like 战 (zhàn, to fight) due to pronunciation. Remember, 湛 relates to water and calmness, not conflict.
Write 湛
湛
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Practice writing 湛 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 湛
湛 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
她是个厨艺精____的厨师。
She was an amazingly good cook.
Example Sentences for 湛 (4)
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1
她是个厨艺精湛的厨师。
tā shì gè chú yì jīng zhàn de chú shī。
She was an amazingly good cook.
2
船会停靠在那里，映衬在一片波澜不兴的湛蓝海水之中。
chuán huì tíng kào zài nà lǐ， ， yìng chèn zài yī piàn bō lán bù xīng de zhàn lán hǎi shuǐ zhī。
The ship would lie there mirrored in a perfectly unmoving glossy sea.
3
天空由通透的湛蓝色变成了暗灰色。
tiān kōng yóu tōng tòu de zhàn lán sè biàn chéng le àn huī sè。
The sky was changing from translucent blue to thicker grey.
4
传统绣工精湛的中国地毯,畅销全球.
chuán tǒng xiù gōng jīng zhàn de zhōng guó dì tǎn, , chàng xiāo quán.
Traditional exquisitely woven Chinese carpets sell well all over the world.
Word Family of 湛
Words Containing This Character9
精湛consummate
湛蓝azure湛藍
湛江Zhanjiang prefecture level city in Guangdong province 廣東省|广东省[Guǎngdōngshěng] in south China
湛zhàndeep
湛江市Zhanjiang prefecture level city in Guangdong province 廣東省|广东省[Guǎngdōngshěng] in south China
湛江师范学院Zhanjiang Normal University湛江師範學院
湛江地区Zhanjiang prefecture in Guangdong湛江地區
湛河区Zhanhe district of Pingdingshan city 平頂山市|平顶山市[Píngdǐngshānshì], Henan湛河區
李湛Li Zhan, personal name of fourteenth Tang emperor Jingzong 敬宗[JìngZōng] (809-827), reigned 825-827
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 精湛 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 湛
You can say '湖水湛蓝' (hú shuǐ zhànlán), meaning 'the lake water is deep blue'.
No, 湛 is more often found in literary or poetic contexts rather than everyday dialogue.
Characters like 清 (qīng, clear) and 深 (shēn, deep) are similar and often used to describe water.
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