Meanings of 慚
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Podcast: 慚
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AI Study Notes for 慚
惭 (cán) — use 慚 for a stronger sense of shame related to one's actions, while 惭 implies a more general feeling of embarrassment.
Common mistakes include confusing 慚 (cán) with other similar-sounding characters like 惭 (cán), which also means 'ashamed' but has slightly different connotations. This term is typically used in formal contexts, so be cautious of its usage in casual conversations.
Although 慚 (cán) is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other emotion-related vocabulary at the same level. Students should focus on recognizing the emotional context of words and practice using it in sentences reflecting feelings of shame or regret.
Learners often confuse 慚 (cán) with 惭 (cán) due to their similar pronunciation and meanings. To avoid confusion, remember that 慚 is used in more serious contexts, while 惭 can be used more casually.
Pronunciation of 慚
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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 慚
Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 斩 represents the sound. Simplified form of 慚.
heart
Origin
慚 = 忄 + 斬. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 慚
Parts
Which of these is part of 慚?
How to say ashamed, humiliated; shameful in Chinese
“ashamed, humiliated; shameful” in Chinese is慚
The character 慚 (cán) means 'ashamed' or 'humiliated', often used to express a feeling of shame regarding one's actions or thoughts. It can also imply a sense of being embarrassed in social contexts. This term is often used in formal writing or discussions about morality and ethics.
When to use 慚
Common mistakes include confusing 慚 (cán) with other similar-sounding characters like 惭 (cán), which also means 'ashamed' but has slightly different connotations. This term is typically used in formal contexts, so be cautious of its usage in casual conversations.
慚 or something close to it
惭 (cán) — use 慚 for a stronger sense of shame related to one's actions, while 惭 implies a more general feeling of embarrassment.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 慚 (cán) with 惭 (cán) due to their similar pronunciation and meanings. To avoid confusion, remember that 慚 is used in more serious contexts, while 惭 can be used more casually.
Write 慚
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Word Family of 慚
Words with 慚
What does 惭愧 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 慚
You could say '我感到慚愧' (Wǒ gǎndào cánkuì), meaning 'I feel ashamed'.
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