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膳 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
膳shànmeals, provisionszg, 16 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #20898, Very Hard
shàn(shan4)shan T4
  1. 1meals, provisions
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March 24, 2026

膳shàn(shan4)

膳 (shàn) refers to meals or provisions, particularly in a formal or traditional context. It is often used to describe the food served at a banquet or in a ceremonial setting, emphasizing the quality and presentation of the meal.

Strokes16Radical⺼Frequency#20898DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

膳 has historical significance in Chinese culture, particularly in the context of imperial banquets where elaborate meals were served to showcase wealth and power. It reflects the importance of food presentation and hospitality in Chinese society.

Memory tip

Imagine a grand banquet where the food is served on a large wooden tray (the radical '肉' for meat suggests food). The pronunciation 'shàn' sounds like 'shawn', a chef preparing a feast. Picture Chef Shawn proudly presenting a lavish meal to guests, showcasing the elegance of 膳.

Meanings of 膳

shàn(shan4)
1meals, provisions
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 膳

膳Simplified
16Strokes
⺼Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 膳

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Podcast: 膳

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AI study notes for 膳

Quick Contrast

膳 (shàn) vs 饭 (fàn) — use 膳 for formal or ceremonial meals, while 饭 refers to everyday rice or food.

Usage Notes

膳 is typically used in formal contexts, such as traditional banquets or official meals. Common mistakes include confusing it with simpler terms for food like '饭' (fàn), which is more casual. Be mindful of the tone; 'shàn' requires a falling tone, which is crucial for proper pronunciation.

HSK Study Tips

While 膳 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, it connects to the broader theme of food, which is prevalent in HSK levels. Students should focus on related vocabulary like '菜' (cài - dishes) or '饭' (fàn - rice/meal) to expand their culinary lexicon.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 膳 with simpler terms like '饭' (fàn) or '食' (shí), using them interchangeably in formal contexts. Remember, 膳 is reserved for more upscale or ceremonial meals, whereas '饭' is everyday food.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 膳

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Etymology of 膳

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 善 represents the sound. Simplified form of 饍.

Memory hint

meat

Semantic (meaning)⺼
+
Phonetic (sound)善
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

膳 = ⺼ + 善. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 膳

IDS Structure⿰⺼善
膳Full character
=
⺼rou4
left
善shan4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 膳?

How to say meals, provisions in Chinese

“meals, provisions” in Chinese is膳shàn

膳 (shàn) refers to meals or provisions, particularly in a formal or traditional context. It is often used to describe the food served at a banquet or in a ceremonial setting, emphasizing the quality and presentation of the meal.

When to use 膳

膳 is typically used in formal contexts, such as traditional banquets or official meals. Common mistakes include confusing it with simpler terms for food like '饭' (fàn), which is more casual. Be mindful of the tone; 'shàn' requires a falling tone, which is crucial for proper pronunciation.

膳 or something close to it

膳 (shàn) vs 饭 (fàn) — use 膳 for formal or ceremonial meals, while 饭 refers to everyday rice or food.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 膳 with simpler terms like '饭' (fàn) or '食' (shí), using them interchangeably in formal contexts. Remember, 膳 is reserved for more upscale or ceremonial meals, whereas '饭' is everyday food.

Write 膳

膳

Practice writing 膳 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 膳

膳 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

一些预制____食很有营养,而且烹调起来很简单。

Some ready made meals are nutritious and very easy to prepare.

Example sentences for 膳 (7)

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1
一些预制膳食很有营养,而且烹调起来很简单。

yìxiē yù zhì shànshí hěn yǒu yíngyǎng, érqiě pēngtiáo qǐlái hěn jiǎndān。

Some ready made meals are nutritious and very easy to prepare.
2
你们能获得大笔激励性薪水,还可享受免费膳宿。

nǐmen néng huòdé dà bǐ jīlì xìng xīnshui, hái kě xiǎngshòu miǎnfèi shàn sù。

You get a big salary incentive and free board and lodging too.
3
宾馆的所有员工都可享受免费膳宿。

bīnguǎn de suǒyǒu yuángōng dōu kě xiǎngshòu miǎnfèi shàn sù。

Free room and board are provided for all hotel staff.
4
您可以将自理膳食旅店升级为酒店。

nín kěyǐ jiāng zìlǐ shànshí lǚdiàn shēngjí wèi jiǔdiàn。

You can upgrade from self-catering accommodation to a hotel.
5
他除工资外还享受膳宿待遇.

tā chú gōngzī wài hái xiǎngshòu shàn sù dàiyù.

He receives wages plus room and board.
6
她把孩子们寄在邻居家膳宿.

tā bǎ háizi men jì zài línjū jiā shàn sù.

She boarded out her children with a neighbor.
7
膳食应该适当, 即不能太油腻也不能太粗淡.

shànshí yīnggāi shìdàng, jí bù néng tài yóunì yě bù néng tài cū dàn.

The diet should be suitable, being neither too rich nor too meagre.

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Word Family of 膳

Words containing this character4
膳食shànshímeal
膳shànmeals
用膳to dine
药膳medicinal cuisine藥膳
Exercise 1 of 3

Words with 膳

What does 膳食 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 膳

No, 膳 is more formal and typically used in specific contexts like banquets or ceremonies.

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