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March 24, 2026
撼hàn(han4)
The character 撼 (hàn) means 'to shake' or 'to vibrate.' It is often used in contexts where something is being physically or emotionally moved or affected, such as in expressions related to earthquakes or stirring emotions. The nuance can also imply a strong or significant impact, suggesting that something is not just shaken, but deeply affected.
Strokes16Radical扌Frequency#51162DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of shaking is often tied to natural forces, such as earthquakes, which have significant historical impacts. The word 撼 can also evoke the idea of stirring one's spirit or emotions, reflecting the deep connection between nature and human feelings in Chinese thought.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant hand (the radical 扌) shaking a mountain (the character for 'mountain' 山) to create an earthquake. The sound 'hàn' resembles the sound of a hand shaking something vigorously. Visualize this image to remember both the form and meaning of 撼.
Meanings of 撼
hàn(han4)
1to shake
2to vibrate
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 撼
撼Simplified
16Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#51162Frequency Rank
Podcast: 撼
Podcast: 撼
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AI Study Notes for 撼
Quick Contrast
震 (zhèn) - use 撼 (hàn) when emphasizing a deep or significant impact, while 震 (zhèn) is more focused on the act of shaking or trembling.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant hand (the radical 扌) shaking a mountain (the character for 'mountain' 山) to create an earthquake. The sound 'hàn' resembles the sound of a hand shaking something vigorously. Visualize this image to remember both the form and meaning of 撼.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone of 'hàn;' mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other characters. It is commonly used in literary and formal contexts, so learners should be aware of its more serious connotation compared to simpler words like 摇 (yáo) which means 'to shake' in a lighter sense.
HSK Study Tips
Although 撼 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects to Level 5 vocabulary concerning natural phenomena and emotional expressions. Students should focus on its usage in literature and poetry, where it often appears to describe strong emotional or physical movements.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of shaking is often tied to natural forces, such as earthquakes, which have significant historical impacts. The word 撼 can also evoke the idea of stirring one's spirit or emotions, reflecting the deep connection between nature and human feelings in Chinese thought.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 撼 with 摇, leading to incorrect usage in casual contexts. For instance, saying '我撼手' ('I shake hands') is incorrect; it should be '我摇手' ('I wave my hand').
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 撼
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Grammar Patterns of 撼
撼 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 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
那足以让曼塞尔获得别人无法____动的领先地位。
That was enough to give Mansell an unassailable lead.
Example Sentences for 撼 (4)
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1
那足以让曼塞尔获得别人无法撼动的领先地位。
nà zú yǐ ràng màn sāi ěr huò dé bié rén wú fǎ hàn dòng de lǐng xiān dì wèi。
That was enough to give Mansell an unassailable lead.
2
即便我们击败了托基队也不能撼动足球界。
jí biàn wǒ mén jī bài le tuō jī duì yě bù néng hàn dòng zú qiú jiè。
It won't shake the football world if we beat Torquay.
With two more days of competition to go China is in an unbeatable position.
4
青年牧师的话音时断时续,听起来甜美 、 丰润而深沉, 实在撼人心肺.
qīng nián mù shī de huà yīn shí duàn shí xù, , tīng qǐ lái tián、 měi 、 fēng rùn ér, shēn chén , shí zài hàn.
The young pastor's voice was tremulously sweet , rich, deep, and broken.
Cultural Notes for 撼
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of shaking is often tied to natural forces, such as earthquakes, which have significant historical impacts. The word 撼 can also evoke the idea of stirring one's spirit or emotions, reflecting the deep connection between nature and human feelings in Chinese thought.
Word Family of 撼
Words Containing This Character9
震撼zhènhànto shake
撼动to shake up撼動
撼hànto shake
摇撼to shake搖撼
震撼性shocking
蚍蜉撼树lit. an ant trying to shake a tree蚍蜉撼樹
撼天动地earth-shaking撼天動地
蚍蜉撼大树fig. to overrate one's own strength蚍蜉撼大樹
蜻蜓撼石柱lit. the dragon-fly shakes the stone tower (idiom); fig. to overestimate one's capabilities
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 震撼 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 撼
Synonyms include 摇 (yáo, to shake) and 震 (zhèn, to tremble or quake). However, 撼 carries a stronger connotation of impact.
It is more commonly found in literary or formal contexts rather than in casual conversation. For everyday use, words like 摇 or 动 (dòng, to move) are preferred.
While it often refers to physical shaking, it can also describe emotional impacts, such as 'shaking' someone’s feelings.
