Meanings of 掂
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About 掂
Podcast: 掂
Podcast: 掂
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AI Study Notes for 掂
称 (chēng) - use this when referring to the act of weighing something on a scale, while 掂 focuses on estimating weight by hand.
This verb is often used in informal contexts when discussing the physical act of weighing or estimating. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar verbs; remember that 掂 specifically involves using your hand. Be mindful of the tone; mispronouncing diān with the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
Although not included in HSK levels, 掂 is useful for learners familiar with basic verbs. It connects with terms related to measurements and assessments, like 重 (zhòng, heavy) and 轻 (qīng, light). Focus on its practical applications in everyday conversations about weights or values.
Learners often confuse 掂 with the character 称 (chēng), which also means 'to weigh' but is used in more formal contexts. For example, saying '我需要称这个包' (Wǒ xūyào chēng zhège bāo) would be correct for formal situations, while using 掂 would be more casual.
Pronunciation of 掂
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Etymology of 掂
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 店 represents the sound.
hand
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 掂
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 店 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half店 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayhand
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
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Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 掂
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How to say to heft, to weigh; to hold in the palm in Chinese
“to heft, to weigh; to hold in the palm” in Chinese is掂
The character 掂 (diān) means to heft or weigh something in your hand. It conveys the action of estimating weight or value by physically holding an object, often used in contexts such as assessing the weight of goods or making judgments about their significance based on their heft.
When to use 掂
This verb is often used in informal contexts when discussing the physical act of weighing or estimating. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar verbs; remember that 掂 specifically involves using your hand. Be mindful of the tone; mispronouncing diān with the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
掂 or something close to it
称 (chēng) - use this when referring to the act of weighing something on a scale, while 掂 focuses on estimating weight by hand.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 掂 with the character 称 (chēng), which also means 'to weigh' but is used in more formal contexts. For example, saying '我需要称这个包' (Wǒ xūyào chēng zhège bāo) would be correct for formal situations, while using 掂 would be more casual.
Write 掂
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Practice writing 掂 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 掂
Compound Meaning
What does 掂 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 掂
You can say '我来掂掂这个包的重量' (Wǒ lái diān diān zhège bāo de zhòngliàng), meaning 'Let me heft this bag to check its weight.'
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