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March 24, 2026
竄cuàn(cuan4)
The character 竄 (cuàn) primarily means to run away or escape quickly, often in a context of evasion or fleeing from danger. It can also imply expelling someone from a place or revising/editing written content, particularly in literary or scholarly contexts. Its usage often conveys a sense of urgency or forcefulness.
Strokes18Radical穴Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, the concept of fleeing or escaping often appears in historical tales, especially in contexts involving political intrigue or warfare, reflecting the tumultuous nature of Chinese history.
Memory Tip
Imagine a rabbit (the radical '竹') that has to run away quickly to escape a predator, hence the character 竄 (cuàn). The rabbit scurries into the bamboo forest ('竹'), symbolizing both speed and a need to evade danger.
Meanings of 竄
cuàn(cuan4)
1to run away; to expel; to revise, to edit
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About 竄
竄Simplified
18Strokes
穴Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 竄
Podcast: 竄
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AI Study Notes for 竄
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a rabbit (the radical '竹') that has to run away quickly to escape a predator, hence the character 竄 (cuàn). The rabbit scurries into the bamboo forest ('竹'), symbolizing both speed and a need to evade danger.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 竄 with similar-sounding characters like 窜 (cuàn), which also means to escape but has different connotations. This character is more commonly used in literary contexts rather than in everyday conversation, so it may not be recognized by all speakers.
HSK Study Tips
Although 竄 is not included in HSK levels, it connects with vocabulary around movement and literature found at lower HSK levels. Students should focus on the radicals and explore related verbs that describe motion and action.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, the concept of fleeing or escaping often appears in historical tales, especially in contexts involving political intrigue or warfare, reflecting the tumultuous nature of Chinese history.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 竄 with 窜, thinking they can use them interchangeably. For example, saying '他竄了' (He ran away) is correct, while using 窜 in this context would be a mistake.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 竄
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Cultural Notes for 竄
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature, the concept of fleeing or escaping often appears in historical tales, especially in contexts involving political intrigue or warfare, reflecting the tumultuous nature of Chinese history.
Word Family of 竄
Words Containing This Character11
窜cuànto flee竄
逃窜to run away逃竄
流窜to infiltrate流竄
窜逃to scurry off竄逃
窜改to alter竄改
抱头鼠窜to cover one's head and sneak away like a rat (idiom); to flee ignominiously抱頭鼠竄
窜扰to invade and harass竄擾
窜犯to raid竄犯
流窜犯criminal at large流竄犯
鼠窜to scamper off鼠竄
窜踞to flee in disorder and encamp somewhere竄踞
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 窜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 竄
You can use 竄 when talking about fleeing from danger, expelling someone, or discussing the revision of texts.
It's more commonly found in literary contexts, so you may not hear it often in casual conversation.
While 竄 and 窜 are pronounced similarly, they have distinct meanings, with 竄 focusing on a more forceful escape.
