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March 24, 2026
饞chán(chan2)
The character 饞 (chán) primarily means greedy or gluttonous, often describing an excessive desire for food. It can also convey lewd or lecherous behavior when used in certain contexts, thus extending its meaning beyond mere appetite to a more general sense of craving or lust.
Strokes25Radical飠Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, food is often associated with hospitality and enjoyment, making the concept of being 饞 a common, relatable trait during family gatherings and celebrations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant, greedy panda (饞) who is always hungry and surrounded by bamboo. The panda's round, chubby form represents gluttony, and the bamboo symbolizes food. The pronunciation 'chán' sounds like 'chomp', reinforcing the idea of a character who just can't get enough to eat.
Meanings of 饞
chán(chan2)
1greedy, gluttonous; lewd, lecherous
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About 饞
饞Simplified
25Strokes
飠Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 饞
Podcast: 饞
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AI Study Notes for 饞
Quick Contrast
贪 (tān) — use 饞 (chán) when specifically referring to excessive desire for food, while 贪 (tān) indicates a general greedy desire for wealth or power.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant, greedy panda (饞) who is always hungry and surrounded by bamboo. The panda's round, chubby form represents gluttony, and the bamboo symbolizes food. The pronunciation 'chán' sounds like 'chomp', reinforcing the idea of a character who just can't get enough to eat.
Usage Notes
饞 is often used informally and can come across as negative, so be cautious in formal settings. Common collocations include 饞嘴 (chán zuǐ, to be greedy for food) and 饞吃 (chán chī, to indulge in eating). Ensure you use the correct tone, as a mispronunciation can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
饞 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists but is related to the HSK 4 level words for food and desire. Students should focus on the contexts in which it is used, especially in informal conversations about food.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, food is often associated with hospitality and enjoyment, making the concept of being 饞 a common, relatable trait during family gatherings and celebrations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 饞 with other characters related to food, such as 餓 (è, hungry). A wrong example would be saying 我很饞 (Wǒ hěn chán, I am very greedy) instead of 我很餓 (Wǒ hěn è, I am very hungry).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 饞
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Cultural Notes for 饞
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, food is often associated with hospitality and enjoyment, making the concept of being 饞 a common, relatable trait during family gatherings and celebrations.
Word Family of 饞
Words Containing This Character8
馋chángreedy饞
馋嘴gluttonous饞嘴
解馋to eat to one's heart's content解饞
眼馋to covet眼饞
嘴馋gluttonous嘴饞
馋涎欲滴greedy饞涎欲滴
贪馋gluttonous貪饞
眼馋肚饱to have eyes bigger than one's belly (idiom)眼饞肚飽
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 馋 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 饞
Yes, 饞 usually has a negative connotation, implying excessive or inappropriate desire.
You can, but be mindful of context; it may sound judgmental.
Common phrases include 饞嘴 (to be greedy for food) and 饞吃 (to indulge in eating).
