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March 24, 2026
谵(譫)zhān(zhan1)
The character 谵 (zhān) refers to incoherent or babbling talk, often characterized by excessive or nonsensical chatter. It can be used to describe someone who is overly talkative or has lost the coherence of their speech, often in a humorous or derogatory context.
Strokes15Radical讠Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, excessive talking can be viewed negatively, especially when it leads to gossip or misunderstanding. The character 谵 captures this cultural nuance by highlighting the idea of babbling as a lack of meaningful communication.
Memory Tip
Imagine a chattering bird (the 'talkative' part) that can't stop babbling nonsense. The character 谵 has components that resemble a mouth (speaking) and a sense of chaos, which can help you remember that it relates to incoherent speech.
Meanings of 谵
zhān(zhan1)
1talkative; incoherent, babbling
2incoherent talk
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 谵
谵Simplified
譫Traditional
15Strokes
讠Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 谵
Podcast: 谵
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AI Study Notes for 谵
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a chattering bird (the 'talkative' part) that can't stop babbling nonsense. The character 谵 has components that resemble a mouth (speaking) and a sense of chaos, which can help you remember that it relates to incoherent speech.
Usage Notes
This word is often used in informal contexts to describe someone who talks too much or without sense. Be careful not to confuse it with similar sounding words like '赞' (zàn, to praise), which has a positive connotation.
HSK Study Tips
Although not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, understanding 谵 can enhance your ability to express nuanced ideas related to speech. Look for connections with other words about communication, such as 说 (shuō, to speak) and 聊 (liáo, to chat).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, excessive talking can be viewed negatively, especially when it leads to gossip or misunderstanding. The character 谵 captures this cultural nuance by highlighting the idea of babbling as a lack of meaningful communication.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 谵 with 赞 (zàn, to praise) due to similar sounds. A common mistake is saying '我觉得他很赞' (I think he is very talkative) instead of using 谵. The correct phrase would be '我觉得他很谵'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 谵
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Cultural Notes for 谵
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, excessive talking can be viewed negatively, especially when it leads to gossip or misunderstanding. The character 谵 captures this cultural nuance by highlighting the idea of babbling as a lack of meaningful communication.
Word Family of 谵
Words Containing This Character1
谵zhāntalkative譫
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 谵 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 谵
You might say, '他讲的话都是谵语,' meaning 'What he says is all babble.'
No, it is mostly used in informal speech or writing to describe someone who is overly talkative.
No, it specifically refers to incoherent or babbling talk, so it wouldn't fit serious contexts.
