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March 24, 2026
毚chán(chan2)
The character 毚 (chán) refers to a person who is greedy or cunning, often used to describe someone who is artful in their deception or manipulation. It conveys a sense of cleverness that is not necessarily positive, implying slyness or craftiness in behavior. This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in literary contexts or discussions about character traits.
Strokes17Radical比Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being cunning can be viewed as a double-edged sword; while cleverness is often admired, being overly deceitful can lead to social ostracism. This reflects the value placed on integrity in personal and business relationships.
Memory Tip
Imagine a cunning fox (the radical 毚 is visually reminiscent of a tail) sneaking around to gather shiny objects (representing greed). The 'chán' sounds like 'chan,' as in 'chan the crafty fox,' who is always plotting to outsmart others.
Meanings of 毚
chán(chan2)
1greedy; cunning
2artful
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About 毚
毚Simplified
17Strokes
比Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 毚
Podcast: 毚
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AI Study Notes for 毚
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a cunning fox (the radical 毚 is visually reminiscent of a tail) sneaking around to gather shiny objects (representing greed). The 'chán' sounds like 'chan,' as in 'chan the crafty fox,' who is always plotting to outsmart others.
Usage Notes
It's important to use 毚 (chán) in contexts that emphasize cunning or deception since it has negative connotations. Avoid using it in formal settings or to describe someone positively. Common collocations include phrases that discuss cleverness in schemes or plots.
HSK Study Tips
Although 毚 is not part of the HSK curriculum, it connects to other HSK vocabulary related to personality traits, such as 聪明 (cōngming, smart) or 狡猾 (jiǎohuá, cunning). Focus on understanding its negative implications and the contexts in which it is appropriate to use.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being cunning can be viewed as a double-edged sword; while cleverness is often admired, being overly deceitful can lead to social ostracism. This reflects the value placed on integrity in personal and business relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 毚 (chán) with similar-sounding words that have positive meanings, such as 聪明 (cōngming, smart). Remember that 毚 has a distinctly negative connotation, so use it carefully in context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 毚
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Cultural Notes for 毚
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being cunning can be viewed as a double-edged sword; while cleverness is often admired, being overly deceitful can lead to social ostracism. This reflects the value placed on integrity in personal and business relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions about 毚
It primarily means greedy or cunning, often with a negative connotation.
You should avoid using 毚 in formal or positive contexts, as it implies slyness or deceit.
他是一个很毚的人，总是想方设法从别人那里获得好处。 (He is a very cunning person, always trying to find ways to gain benefits from others.)
