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March 24, 2026
添tiān(tian1)
The character 添 (tiān) means 'to add' or 'to increase.' It is commonly used in contexts where something is being supplemented or replenished, such as adding ingredients to a dish or increasing one's efforts in a task. The nuance of 添 suggests a positive enhancement or improvement to the original state.
Strokes11Radical氵Frequency#5187DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cooking, the concept of 添 is vital as chefs often emphasize the importance of adding ingredients at the right moment to enhance flavor. This reflects the broader cultural value placed on harmony and balance in food preparation.
Memory Tip
Imagine a chef adding a sprinkle of seasoning to a dish, making it tastier. The character 添 looks like a person (亻) adding something (干) to a pot, symbolizing the act of enhancement. Remember the sound 'tiān' by thinking of 'tian' which sounds like 'ten' - as in, adding ten more ingredients to a recipe!
Meanings of 添
tiān(tian1)
1to add
2to increase
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 添
添Simplified
11Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5187Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 添
Podcast: 添
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AI Study Notes for 添
Quick Contrast
增 (zēng) - use 添 (tiān) when the addition implies a positive enhancement, whereas 增 (zēng) can be more neutral or quantitative.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a chef adding a sprinkle of seasoning to a dish, making it tastier. The character 添 looks like a person (亻) adding something (干) to a pot, symbolizing the act of enhancement. Remember the sound 'tiān' by thinking of 'tian' which sounds like 'ten' - as in, adding ten more ingredients to a recipe!
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 添 with 加 (jiā), which also means 'to add' but has slightly different connotations. While 添 often implies a more thoughtful or careful addition, 加 can be more general. Use 添 in a more formal or literary context, while 加 is more colloquial.
HSK Study Tips
Although 添 is not part of the official HSK levels, it can be valuable for learners at HSK 3 and above as it appears in phrases like 添油加醋 (tiān yóu jiā cù), meaning 'to add fuel to the fire.' Focus on its usage in compounds and idiomatic expressions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese cooking, the concept of 添 is vital as chefs often emphasize the importance of adding ingredients at the right moment to enhance flavor. This reflects the broader cultural value placed on harmony and balance in food preparation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 添 when discussing simple addition in math or everyday contexts, where 加 would be more appropriate. For example, saying 添两个苹果 (tiān liǎng gè píngguǒ) instead of 加两个苹果 (jiā liǎng gè píngguǒ) for 'add two apples.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 添
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Grammar Patterns of 添
添 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 4 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.
Columns are usually intended in architecture to add grandeur and status.
9
他给壁炉里的火添了点柴。
tā gěi bì lú lǐ de huǒ tiān le diǎn chái。
He stoked up the fire in the hearth.
10
她的出版商想让她在小说中增添些性描写以吸引读者。
tā de chū bǎn shāng xiǎng ràng tā zài xiǎo shuō zhōng zēng tiān xiē xìng miáo xiě yǐ xī yǐn dú zhě。
Her publisher wants her to spice up her stories with sex.
Cultural Notes for 添
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese cooking, the concept of 添 is vital as chefs often emphasize the importance of adding ingredients at the right moment to enhance flavor. This reflects the broader cultural value placed on harmony and balance in food preparation.
Word Family of 添
Words Containing This Character19
添tiānto add
添加tiānjiāto add
增添zēngtiānto add
添麻烦to inconvenience添麻煩
添加剂additive添加劑
添乱to inconvenience添亂
锦上添花jǐnshàngtiānhuāgilding the lily錦上添花
添置to buy
添油加醋lit. to add oil and vinegar
画蛇添足huàshétiānzúto overdo it畫蛇添足
如虎添翼with redoubled power (idiom)
添砖加瓦fig. to do one's bit to help添磚加瓦
添加物additive
加添augment
添丁to add a son to the family
添补to fill (up)添補
加油添醋to sex up
二一添作五to go fifty-fifty
添办to acquire添辦
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 添 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 添
添 implies a thoughtful enhancement, while 加 is a more general term for adding.
Yes, but it is often found in more formal contexts or written language.
One common phrase is 添油加醋, which means 'to add fuel to the fire'.
