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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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
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.
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.
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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2The sound half忝 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywater
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 添? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 添?
Decomposition of 添
IDS Structure⿰氵忝
添Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
忝tian3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 添?
How to say to add in Chinese
“to add” in Chinese is添tiān
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.
When to use 添
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.
添 or something close to it
增 (zēng) - use 添 (tiān) when the addition implies a positive enhancement, whereas 增 (zēng) can be more neutral or quantitative.
What learners get wrong
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.'
Write 添
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.
