Meanings of 竄
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 竄
Podcast: 竄
Podcast: 竄
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 竄
Be careful not to confuse 竄 with similar-sounding characters like 窜 (cuàn), which also means to escape but has different connotations. This character is more commonly used in literary contexts rather than in everyday conversation, so it may not be recognized by all speakers.
Although 竄 is not included in HSK levels, it connects with vocabulary around movement and literature found at lower HSK levels. Students should focus on the radicals and explore related verbs that describe motion and action.
Learners often confuse 竄 with 窜, thinking they can use them interchangeably. For example, saying '他竄了' (He ran away) is correct, while using 窜 in this context would be a mistake.
Pronunciation of 竄
Drill the tone of 竄 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 竄
Phonosemantic compound. 穴 represents the meaning and 串 represents the sound. Simplified form of 竄.
A mouse 鼠 running out of its hole 穴
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 竄
Phonosemantic compound. 穴 represents the meaning and 串 represents the sound. Simplified form of 竄.
- 1The giveawayA mouse 鼠 running out of its hole 穴
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 竄? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 竄?
Decomposition of 竄
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 竄?
How to say to run away; to expel; to revise, to edit in Chinese
“to run away; to expel; to revise, to edit” in Chinese is竄
The character 竄 (cuàn) primarily means to run away or escape quickly, often in a context of evasion or fleeing from danger. It can also imply expelling someone from a place or revising/editing written content, particularly in literary or scholarly contexts. Its usage often conveys a sense of urgency or forcefulness.
When to use 竄
Be careful not to confuse 竄 with similar-sounding characters like 窜 (cuàn), which also means to escape but has different connotations. This character is more commonly used in literary contexts rather than in everyday conversation, so it may not be recognized by all speakers.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 竄 with 窜, thinking they can use them interchangeably. For example, saying '他竄了' (He ran away) is correct, while using 窜 in this context would be a mistake.
Write 竄
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 竄 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 竄
Compound Meaning
What does 窜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 竄
You can use 竄 when talking about fleeing from danger, expelling someone, or discussing the revision of texts.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 竄?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.