HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 钅, rank #8255, Hard
铲
chǎn
to root up
HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 钅, rank #8255, Hard
chǎn(chan3) T3
1spade, shovel; trowel, scoop
2to level off
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March 24, 2026
铲(剷)chǎn(chan3)
The character 铲 (chǎn) refers to tools such as a spade or shovel, commonly used for digging or moving materials like soil. It can also mean to level off a surface or to root up something from the ground, emphasizing its practical use in gardening, construction, or land preparation.
Strokes11Radical钅Frequency#8255DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese agriculture, tools like the 铲 (shovel) have been essential for farming, reflecting the importance of agriculture in Chinese rural culture. The practice of digging and leveling land is deeply connected to the agrarian lifestyle and food production.
Memory Tip
Imagine using a shiny, silver spade (铲) to dig up treasures from the ground. The metal part of the spade looks like the radical 钅 (metal), reminding you that it is a tool used for digging and lifting.
Meanings of 铲
chǎn(chan3)
1spade, shovel; trowel, scoop
2to level off
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 铲
铲Simplified
剷Traditional
11Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 铲
Podcast: 铲
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AI Study Notes for 铲
Quick Contrast
铲 (chǎn) vs 锹 (qiāo) — use 铲 for spade-like tools primarily used for digging or leveling, while 锹 refers specifically to a shovel, often used for lifting and moving loose material.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine using a shiny, silver spade (铲) to dig up treasures from the ground. The metal part of the spade looks like the radical 钅 (metal), reminding you that it is a tool used for digging and lifting.
Usage Notes
This character is primarily used in informal contexts, especially when discussing gardening or construction. Common collocations include ‘铲土’ (to shovel soil) and ‘铲雪’ (to shovel snow). Be careful with the third tone; mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although not part of the HSK vocabulary list, 铲 (chǎn) can be useful for learners at HSK Level 3 or 4, especially when discussing outdoor activities or construction. Focus on using it in sentences related to gardening or tool usage.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese agriculture, tools like the 铲 (shovel) have been essential for farming, reflecting the importance of agriculture in Chinese rural culture. The practice of digging and leveling land is deeply connected to the agrarian lifestyle and food production.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 铲 (chǎn) with 锹 (qiāo) when discussing tools, mistakenly saying '我需要一个铲' (I need a spade) instead of '我需要一个锹' (I need a shovel) if referring to a larger tool. Ensure you use the correct term based on the tool size and function.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 铲
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Grammar Patterns of 铲
铲 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 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
有时候你肯定会错估____球的时机。
You're bound to mistime a tackle every so often.
Example Sentences for 铲 (9)
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1
有时候你肯定会错估铲球的时机。
yǒu shí hòu nǐ kěn dìng huì cuò gū chǎn qiú de shí jī。
You're bound to mistime a tackle every so often.
2
彭德古德把旅行拖车里的沙子铲了出来。
péng dé gǔ dé bǎ lǚ háng tuō chē lǐ de shā zǐ chǎn le chū lái。
Pendergood had shovelled the sand out of the caravan.
3
女孩子们拿着桶和铲子在沙滩上快活地玩耍。
nǚ hái zǐ mén ná zháo tǒng hé chǎn zǐ zài shā tān shàng kuài huó dì wán shuǎ。
The girls happily played in the sand with buckets and spades.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing over the top with a spatula.
8
他用榔头和凿子铲墙。
tā yòng láng tóu hé záo zǐ chǎn qiáng。
He used a hammer and chisel to chip away at the wall.
9
他用塑料铲把盆里的混合料刮了出来.
tā yòng sù liào chǎn bǎ pén lǐ de hùn hé liào guā le chū lái.
He scraped the mixture out of the bowl with a plastic spatula.
Cultural Notes for 铲
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese agriculture, tools like the 铲 (shovel) have been essential for farming, reflecting the importance of agriculture in Chinese rural culture. The practice of digging and leveling land is deeply connected to the agrarian lifestyle and food production.
Word Family of 铲
Words Containing This Character9
铲chǎnto shovel鏟
铲除to root out剷除
铲子chǎnzishovel鏟子
铲车front loader (vehicle)鏟車
锅铲wok spatula鍋鏟
铲平to flatten鏟平
铲土机earth-moving machine鏟土機
铲运机earth-moving machine鏟運機
电铲power shovel電鏟
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 铲 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 铲
铲 (chǎn) refers to a spade or shovel, while 锹 (qiāo) typically refers to a larger shovel used for moving snow or bulk materials.
Yes, 铲 can also be used metaphorically to describe the action of eliminating something, much like 'shoveling' away problems.
Yes, many households in rural areas have a 铲 for gardening and maintenance, reflecting its practical use.
