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谗 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
谗chánto slander, to defame; to misrepresentvg, 11 strokes, radical 讠, rank #93933, Very Hard
谗chánto speak maliciouslyunknown, 11 strokes, radical 讠, rank #93933, Very Hard
chán(chan2)chan T2
  1. 1to slander, to defame; to misrepresent
  2. 2to speak maliciously
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March 24, 2026

谗(讒)chán(chan2)

The character 谗 (chán) means to slander or defame someone, often by spreading malicious rumors or misrepresenting their actions. It is commonly used in contexts related to gossip or negative speech about others, highlighting the intent to harm someone's reputation.

Strokes11Radical讠Frequency#93933DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, slandering someone can lead to severe social consequences, reflecting the importance placed on reputation and honor within communities. Historical tales often highlight the ruinous effects of slander on individuals' lives.

Memory tip

Imagine a sneaky person whispering slanderous words while hiding behind a wall (the radical 言, meaning 'speech'). The sound 'chán' can be remembered as a 'charming' facade that hides a malicious intent, like a charming snake ready to strike.

Meanings of 谗

chán(chan2)
1to slander, to defame; to misrepresent
2to speak maliciously
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 谗 means.

About 谗

谗Simplified
讒Traditional
11Strokes
讠Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 谗

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Podcast: 谗

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AI Study Notes for 谗

Quick Contrast

中伤 (zhōng shāng) vs 诽谤 (fěi bàng) — use 谗 for informal slander or gossip, while 中伤 implies a more serious or intentional harm, and 诽谤 refers specifically to legal defamation.

Usage Notes

This term is typically used in negative contexts and is considered formal. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar terms like 诽谤 (fěi bàng), which also means defamation but carries a legal connotation. Ensure the tone of your speech matches the seriousness of the accusation.

HSK Study Tips

As a less common term, 谗 is not part of the HSK levels but connects to other words about speech and communication, like 说 (shuō, to speak). Focus on recognizing its usage in literature and formal discussions about morality or ethics.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 谗 with 诽谤 (fěi bàng), thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '他的谗是违法的' (Tā de chán shì wéifǎ de) is incorrect; it should be '他的诽谤是违法的' (Tā de fěi bàng shì wéifǎ de) when referring to legal defamation.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 谗

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Etymology of 谗

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

speech

Semantic (meaning)讠
+
Phonetic (sound)免
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

谗 = 讠 + 免. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 谗

IDS Structure⿰讠⿱免?
谗Full character
=
讠yan2
left
免mian3
top
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 谗?

How to say to slander, to defame; to misrepresent in Chinese

“to slander, to defame; to misrepresent” in Chinese is谗chán

The character 谗 (chán) means to slander or defame someone, often by spreading malicious rumors or misrepresenting their actions. It is commonly used in contexts related to gossip or negative speech about others, highlighting the intent to harm someone's reputation.

When to use 谗

This term is typically used in negative contexts and is considered formal. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar terms like 诽谤 (fěi bàng), which also means defamation but carries a legal connotation. Ensure the tone of your speech matches the seriousness of the accusation.

谗 or something close to it

中伤 (zhōng shāng) vs 诽谤 (fěi bàng) — use 谗 for informal slander or gossip, while 中伤 implies a more serious or intentional harm, and 诽谤 refers specifically to legal defamation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 谗 with 诽谤 (fěi bàng), thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '他的谗是违法的' (Tā de chán shì wéifǎ de) is incorrect; it should be '他的诽谤是违法的' (Tā de fěi bàng shì wéifǎ de) when referring to legal defamation.

Write 谗

谗

Practice writing 谗 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 谗

Words containing this character4
谗言slander讒言
谗chánto slander讒
谗佞a slandering toady讒佞
谗害to slander讒害
Exercise 1 of 3

Words with 谗

What does 谗言 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 谗

You can say '他在背后谗言我' (Tā zài bèihòu chán yán wǒ), which means 'He slandered me behind my back.'

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