Meanings of 惭
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About 惭
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Podcast: 惭
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AI Study Notes for 惭
惭 (cán) vs 羞 (xiū) — use 惭 when referring to moral or ethical shame, while 羞 implies a more general sense of shyness or embarrassment.
Learners often confuse 惭 (cán) with 愧 (kuì), which also means 'ashamed' but carries a slightly different connotation of guilt. While 惭 is generally more informal, be cautious about using it in formal writing; prefer 愧 in such contexts. Common collocations include 惭愧 (cánkuì) meaning 'ashamed.'
Although 惭 is not included in the official HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it enriches your vocabulary related to emotions, especially those linked to morality. Focus on its nuances compared to similar words like 愧 (kuì) and 羞 (xiū) at the same level.
Students often mix up 惭 (cán) with 愧 (kuì), using them interchangeably. For instance, saying '我感到惭' (Wǒ gǎndào cán) instead of the more appropriate '我感到愧' (Wǒ gǎndào kuì) can lead to confusion.
Pronunciation of 惭
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Jason Explains 惭 to You
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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.
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Etymology of 惭
Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 斩 represents the sound. Simplified form of 慚.
heart
Origin
惭 = 忄 + 斩. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 惭
Parts
Which of these is part of 惭?
How to say ashamed in Chinese
“ashamed” in Chinese is惭
The character 惭 (cán) conveys a sense of being ashamed or humiliated. It is often used in contexts where someone feels guilt or embarrassment about their actions or situation. This character can imply a moral or ethical shame, distinguishing it from mere embarrassment.
When to use 惭
Learners often confuse 惭 (cán) with 愧 (kuì), which also means 'ashamed' but carries a slightly different connotation of guilt. While 惭 is generally more informal, be cautious about using it in formal writing; prefer 愧 in such contexts. Common collocations include 惭愧 (cánkuì) meaning 'ashamed.'
惭 or something close to it
惭 (cán) vs 羞 (xiū) — use 惭 when referring to moral or ethical shame, while 羞 implies a more general sense of shyness or embarrassment.
What learners get wrong
Students often mix up 惭 (cán) with 愧 (kuì), using them interchangeably. For instance, saying '我感到惭' (Wǒ gǎndào cán) instead of the more appropriate '我感到愧' (Wǒ gǎndào kuì) can lead to confusion.
Write 惭
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Practice writing 惭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 惭
惭 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
孩子表现不佳时要让他们知道，但不能让他们自____形秽。
When your children misbehave tell them without making them feel small.
Example Sentences for 惭 (5)
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Word Family of 惭
Words with 惭
What does 惭愧 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 惭
The correct pronunciation is cán, with a rising tone.
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