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March 24, 2026
詹zhān(Zhan1)
The character 詹 (zhān) primarily refers to someone who is talkative or verbose, often used to describe a person who tends to speak a lot or in great detail. Additionally, it is a surname in Chinese culture, indicating its use in personal names. In conversation, it may imply a playful or lighthearted tone when referring to someone's chattiness.
Strokes13Radical言Frequency#11916DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The surname 詹 is relatively rare in China, but it is recognized and associated with specific historical figures, such as 詹天佑, a famous engineer known for his contributions to railways. This character reflects the significance of surnames in Chinese identity and lineage.
Memory Tip
Think of 詹 as a 'chatterbox' who can't stop talking. The radical 言 (yán) related to speech is present, reminding you of its connection to talking. Imagine a character named Zhan who is always at the center of conversations, sharing detailed stories.
Meanings of 詹
zhān(Zhan1)
1talkative, verbose; surname
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About 詹
詹Simplified
13Strokes
言Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 詹
Podcast: 詹
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AI Study Notes for 詹
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 詹 as a 'chatterbox' who can't stop talking. The radical 言 (yán) related to speech is present, reminding you of its connection to talking. Imagine a character named Zhan who is always at the center of conversations, sharing detailed stories.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 詹 with similar-sounding names or terms that relate to different contexts. It is generally informal, so use it when chatting with friends rather than in formal writing. Common collocations include phrases describing someone's talkative nature.
HSK Study Tips
While 詹 is not included in the HSK list, students at this level can relate it to other characters involving speech or communication, like 说 (shuō) or 聊 (liáo). Focus on practicing the pronunciation and context of usage in everyday conversations.
Cultural Note
The surname 詹 is relatively rare in China, but it is recognized and associated with specific historical figures, such as 詹天佑, a famous engineer known for his contributions to railways. This character reflects the significance of surnames in Chinese identity and lineage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 詹 with 赞 (zàn), which means to praise. For example, saying '我很詹你的表演' (Wǒ hěn zhān nǐ de biǎoyǎn) is incorrect; it should be '我很赞你的表演' (Wǒ hěn zàn nǐ de biǎoyǎn).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 詹
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Grammar Patterns of 詹
詹 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 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
____姆斯·福克斯以《欲望城》一书最为出名.
James Fox is best known as the author of White Mischief.
Rabbit stew is one of chef Giancarlo Moeri's signature dishes.
Cultural Notes for 詹
🏮Cultural insight
The surname 詹 is relatively rare in China, but it is recognized and associated with specific historical figures, such as 詹天佑, a famous engineer known for his contributions to railways. This character reflects the significance of surnames in Chinese identity and lineage.
Word Family of 詹
Words Containing This Character4
詹姆斯James (name)
詹zhānexcellent
詹森Johnson
詹天佑Zhan Tianyou (1861-1919), Chinese railroad engineer
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 詹姆斯 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 詹
詹 (zhān) means talkative or verbose, and it is also a surname.
詹 is pronounced as 'zhān', with a first tone, so it is a high and level sound.
It's best to avoid using 詹 in formal contexts, as it has an informal and conversational tone.
