Meanings of 掸
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About 掸
Podcast: 掸
Podcast: 掸
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AI Study Notes for 掸
拂 (fú) — use 掸 (dǎn) for a more gentle, dusting action, while 拂 (fú) often implies a sweeping or brushing motion with a broader context.
Be cautious with tones; 掸 is pronounced with a third tone (dǎn). It is used more in informal contexts, so in formal writing, consider alternatives like 清洁 (qīngjié) for 'clean.' Common collocations include 掸灰尘 (dǎn huīchén), meaning 'to dust off dust.'
While 掸 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to verbs related to cleaning at similar levels. Focus on the action of cleaning, as it relates to other verbs like 清 (qīng, to clean) and 洗 (xǐ, to wash) to build a broader vocabulary around household chores.
Learners often confuse 掸 with the similar-sounding verb 改 (gǎi, to change). For example, saying '我需要改桌子' (Wǒ xūyào gǎi zhuōzi) instead of '我需要掸桌子' is incorrect. The correct phrase emphasizes dusting rather than changing the table.
Pronunciation of 掸
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Etymology of 掸
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 单 represents the sound. Simplified form of 撣.
hand
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 掸
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 单 represents the sound. Simplified form of 撣.
- 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half单 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 掸
Identify the Components
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How to say to dust; a duster in Chinese
“to dust; a duster” in Chinese is掸
The character 掸 (dǎn) primarily means 'to dust' or 'to brush away.' It is commonly used in contexts where one is cleaning surfaces by removing dust, such as furniture or shelves. The verb can also imply a gentle motion of brushing something off, emphasizing the action of tidying or cleaning.
When to use 掸
Be cautious with tones; 掸 is pronounced with a third tone (dǎn). It is used more in informal contexts, so in formal writing, consider alternatives like 清洁 (qīngjié) for 'clean.' Common collocations include 掸灰尘 (dǎn huīchén), meaning 'to dust off dust.'
掸 or something close to it
拂 (fú) — use 掸 (dǎn) for a more gentle, dusting action, while 拂 (fú) often implies a sweeping or brushing motion with a broader context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 掸 with the similar-sounding verb 改 (gǎi, to change). For example, saying '我需要改桌子' (Wǒ xūyào gǎi zhuōzi) instead of '我需要掸桌子' is incorrect. The correct phrase emphasizes dusting rather than changing the table.
Write 掸
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Practice writing 掸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 掸
掸 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 5 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.
Complete the Sentence
他起身____去了衣服上的灰尘并将信折起来收好。
He stood and dusted down his suit and folded the letter away.
Example Sentences for 掸 (3)
Word Family of 掸
Compound Meaning
What does 掸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 掸
You can say '我需要掸桌子上的灰尘' (Wǒ xūyào dǎn zhuōzi shàng de huīchén), meaning 'I need to dust the dust off the table.'
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