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March 24, 2026
耽dān(dan1)
The character 耽 (dān) primarily means to indulge in something or to delay. It is often used in contexts where one is overly absorbed in an activity, leading to procrastination or a lack of time management. It can also imply a sense of deep engagement that may not always be productive.
Strokes10Radical耳Frequency#21695DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of indulgence can often be seen as a double-edged sword; it is associated with both personal enjoyment and societal expectations of diligence. This reflects the traditional value placed on hard work and productivity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person named Dan who is so indulged in watching his favorite show that he delays all his chores. The character 耽 has the radical '心' (heart) which suggests emotional involvement, connecting to the idea of being 'in the heart' of an activity.
Meanings of 耽
dān(dan1)
1to indulge in
2to delay
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 耽
耽Simplified
10Strokes
耳Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#21695Frequency Rank
Podcast: 耽
Podcast: 耽
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AI Study Notes for 耽
Quick Contrast
耽 (dān) vs 浪费 (làngfèi) — choose 耽 when emphasizing indulgence or absorption in an activity, whereas 浪费 focuses on wastefulness or squandering time.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person named Dan who is so indulged in watching his favorite show that he delays all his chores. The character 耽 has the radical '心' (heart) which suggests emotional involvement, connecting to the idea of being 'in the heart' of an activity.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 耽 with similar-sounding words, as it can easily be misused in contexts of time management. It is generally informal, so it might not be suitable for formal writing. Common collocations include 耽误 (dānwù, to delay) and 耽溺 (dānnì, to indulge excessively).
HSK Study Tips
Although not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding 耽 can enhance your comprehension of phrases that discuss time and indulgence. Focus on similar words like 耽误 and related concepts to build a broader vocabulary around delay and indulgence.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of indulgence can often be seen as a double-edged sword; it is associated with both personal enjoyment and societal expectations of diligence. This reflects the traditional value placed on hard work and productivity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 耽 with 耽误 (dānwù) and use it incorrectly in sentences. For example, saying '我耽误了看书' (Wǒ dānle kànshū) is wrong; it should be '我耽误了时间去看书' (Wǒ dānwùle shíjiān qù kànshū) to express delaying time to read.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 耽
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Grammar Patterns of 耽
耽 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 3 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.
Every time she travels on the bus it's delayed by at least three hours.
Cultural Notes for 耽
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of indulgence can often be seen as a double-edged sword; it is associated with both personal enjoyment and societal expectations of diligence. This reflects the traditional value placed on hard work and productivity.
Word Family of 耽
Words Containing This Character4
耽误dānwuto delay耽誤
耽搁dāngeto tarry耽擱
耽dānto delay
耽溺to indulge in
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 耽误 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 耽
You can say '我耽误了时间' (Wǒ dānwùle shíjiān), meaning 'I delayed my time.'
It's not the most common word, but you might encounter it in discussions about hobbies or procrastination.
Generally, it is more informal and may not be suitable for formal writing.
