unknown, 8 strokes, radical 氵, rank #82692, Very Hard
gān(gan1) T1
1water from washing rice; thick gruel
2slop from rinsing rice
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
泔gān(gan1)
泔 (gān) refers to the liquid that results from washing rice, often containing starch and other residues. It can also denote a type of thick gruel or slop made from this rinsing water. This term is commonly used in culinary contexts, particularly in discussions about preparing rice or using it in various dishes.
Strokes8Radical氵Frequency#82692DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, rice is a staple food, and the process of washing rice is an integral part of preparation. The term 泔 reflects the importance of rice in daily life and its preparation methods.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pot of rice being washed, and as you drain the water, you see a thick, cloudy liquid—this is 泔 (gān). The character itself has the water radical (氵) which represents liquid, combined with the component '干' (gān), suggesting the action of washing or cleaning.
Meanings of 泔
gān(gan1)
1water from washing rice; thick gruel
2slop from rinsing rice
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 泔
泔Simplified
8Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 泔
Podcast: 泔
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 泔
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pot of rice being washed, and as you drain the water, you see a thick, cloudy liquid—this is 泔 (gān). The character itself has the water radical (氵) which represents liquid, combined with the component '干' (gān), suggesting the action of washing or cleaning.
Usage Notes
泔 is a somewhat specialized term and may not be used frequently in everyday conversation. Be cautious not to confuse it with other terms for water or liquid. It typically appears in cooking contexts, so it's best used in discussions related to food preparation.
HSK Study Tips
While 泔 is not included in the HSK levels, it can enrich vocabulary related to food and cooking. Students should focus on its context and usage with other culinary terms. Pairing it with words like 米 (mǐ, rice) can help reinforce its meaning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, rice is a staple food, and the process of washing rice is an integral part of preparation. The term 泔 reflects the importance of rice in daily life and its preparation methods.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 泔 with other water-related terms like 水 (shuǐ) or 污水 (wūshuǐ, wastewater). For instance, saying '我喝泔' (Wǒ hē gān—'I drink slop') would be incorrect in most contexts, as it is not typically a drinkable substance.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 泔
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 泔 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 泔 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 泔
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, rice is a staple food, and the process of washing rice is an integral part of preparation. The term 泔 reflects the importance of rice in daily life and its preparation methods.
Word Family of 泔
Words Containing This Character2
泔水slop
泔gānslop from rinsing rice
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 泔水 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 泔
No, 泔 is a more specialized term typically used in cooking contexts.
水 (shuǐ) simply means water, while 泔 specifically refers to the water from washing rice.
No, 泔 is specifically associated with the water resulting from washing rice.
