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跚 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
跚
shān
to stagger, to limp
x, 12 strokes, radical 足
跚
shān
limp
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 足
shān(shan1)shan T1
1to stagger, to limp
2limp
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March 24, 2026
跚shān(shan1)
The character 跚 (shān) means to stagger or limp, often used to describe a person who walks unsteadily due to injury or fatigue. In a broader context, it can imply a lack of stability or confidence in movement. This character is commonly used in literary texts and can evoke a sense of struggle or instability.
Strokes12Radical足
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese medicine, a person's ability to walk steadily is often associated with their overall health and energy balance, making the concept of limping or staggering particularly significant in discussions about well-being.
Memory tip
Imagine a person trying to walk straight but instead swaying side to side like a ship in a storm. The character 跚 has the radical '足' (foot) at the bottom, reminding you that it relates to walking, while the top part can be visualized as a person trying to maintain balance, leading to the sound 'shān'.
Meanings of 跚
shān(shan1)
1to stagger, to limp
2limp
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 跚 means.
About 跚
跚Simplified
12Strokes
足Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 跚
Podcast: 跚
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AI Study Notes for 跚
Usage Notes
When using 跚, be aware that it can carry a negative connotation of weakness or vulnerability. It is often used in informal contexts when describing someone's physical state. A common collocation is '走路走得很跚' (to walk very unsteadily).
HSK Study Tips
Though 跚 is not currently included in HSK vocabulary lists, it can be useful for advanced learners exploring descriptive language. Students should focus on recognizing its components and understanding its usage in context, particularly in literature or conversations about health.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 跚 with similar-sounding characters like 伤 (shāng, meaning 'to injure'). For example, saying '我走得很伤' instead of '我走得很跚' would be incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 跚
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How Well Do You Know 跚?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 跚 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.
跚 = 足 + 册. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 跚
IDS Structure⿰足册
跚Full character
=
足ju4
left
册ce4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 跚?
How to say to stagger, to limp in Chinese
“to stagger, to limp” in Chinese is跚shān
The character 跚 (shān) means to stagger or limp, often used to describe a person who walks unsteadily due to injury or fatigue. In a broader context, it can imply a lack of stability or confidence in movement. This character is commonly used in literary texts and can evoke a sense of struggle or instability.
When to use 跚
When using 跚, be aware that it can carry a negative connotation of weakness or vulnerability. It is often used in informal contexts when describing someone's physical state. A common collocation is '走路走得很跚' (to walk very unsteadily).
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse 跚 with similar-sounding characters like 伤 (shāng, meaning 'to injure'). For example, saying '我走得很伤' instead of '我走得很跚' would be incorrect.
Write 跚
跚
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Practice writing 跚 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 跚
跚 carries 2 distinct meanings. 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.
亚当蹒____而行，沿路留下毁坏的痕迹。
Adam stumbles on, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake.
Example Sentences for 跚 (10)
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1
亚当蹒跚而行，沿路留下毁坏的痕迹。
yà dāng pán shān ér xíng， yán lù liúxia huǐhuài de hénjì。
Adam stumbles on, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake.
2
那只狗伸着舌头从树林里蹒跚地跑回来。
nà zhī gǒu shēn zhe shétou cóng shùlín lǐ pán shān dì pǎo huílái。
Tongue lolling, the dog came lolloping back from the forest.
3
那条狗蹒跚地向他们跑来。
nà tiáo gǒu pán shān dì xiàng tāmen pǎo lái。
The dog came lolloping towards them.
4
我们的马沿着泥泞小路蹒跚而行。
wǒmen de mǎ yánzhe nínìng xiǎolù pán shān ér xíng。
Our horses plodded down the muddy track.
5
它步态蹒跚,吃饱了的身体更显得笨拙可笑.
tā bù tài pán shān, chī bǎo le de shēntǐ gèng xiǎnde bènzhuō kěxiào.
Its body looks heavy and clumsy when it has eaten its fill.
6
蹒跚学步的孩子指着想要的玩具.
pán shān xué bù de háizi zhǐzhe xiǎngyào de wánjù.
The toddler pointed to the toy he wanted.
7
老人在他的孙子挽扶下蹒跚而行.
lǎorén zài tā de sūnzi wǎn fú xià pán shān ér xíng.
The old man hobbled along with the help of his grandson.
