Meanings of 潸
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About 潸
Podcast: 潸
Podcast: 潸
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AI Study Notes for 潸
泪 (lèi, tear) vs 哭 (kū, to cry) — choose 潸 when emphasizing the emotional state of being tearful rather than the physical act of crying or the tears themselves.
Be cautious with the tone; 潸 is pronounced with a first tone, which can be confused with similar-sounding characters in the third tone. It is more often used in literary or formal contexts rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include 潸然泪下 (shānrán lèi xià), meaning 'to burst into tears.'
Although 潸 is not part of the current HSK levels, it is beneficial to understand its emotional depth as it relates to other words describing feelings. Focus on recognizing its use in literature and poetry to enhance your vocabulary in emotional contexts.
Learners often confuse 潸 with similar characters due to its specific emotional connotation. For example, using 哭 (kū) interchangeably with 潸 is incorrect since 哭 is more general and less poetic. Always consider the emotional context when choosing this character.
Pronunciation of 潸
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Jason Explains 潸 to You
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Learning Lab
Knowing 潸 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.
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Etymology of 潸
Water 氵 falling from closed eyes 林
Origin
What kind of character is 潸?
Decomposition of 潸
Parts
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How to say tearful; to weep in Chinese
“tearful; to weep” in Chinese is潸
The character 潸 (shān) primarily means 'tearful' or 'to weep.' It is often used in literary contexts to describe crying or a state of emotional distress, particularly in poetry and prose. It conveys a sense of deep sorrow or poignant emotion.
When to use 潸
Be cautious with the tone; 潸 is pronounced with a first tone, which can be confused with similar-sounding characters in the third tone. It is more often used in literary or formal contexts rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include 潸然泪下 (shānrán lèi xià), meaning 'to burst into tears.'
潸 or something close to it
泪 (lèi, tear) vs 哭 (kū, to cry) — choose 潸 when emphasizing the emotional state of being tearful rather than the physical act of crying or the tears themselves.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 潸 with similar characters due to its specific emotional connotation. For example, using 哭 (kū) interchangeably with 潸 is incorrect since 哭 is more general and less poetic. Always consider the emotional context when choosing this character.
Write 潸
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Practice writing 潸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 潸
潸 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 2 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.
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他的歌旋律优美、悦耳动听，让我____然泪下。
Wonderfully melodic and tuneful, his songs have made me weep.
Example Sentences for 潸 (2)
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Word Family of 潸
Words with 潸
What does 潸然泪下 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 潸
You can use 潸 in a poetic context, such as '她潸潸泪下' (tā shānshān lèi xià), meaning 'She shed tears.'
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