Meanings of 貪
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About 貪
Podcast: 貪
Podcast: 貪
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AI Study Notes for 貪
贪 (tān) vs 渴望 (kěwàng) — use 貪 when referring to excessive greed rather than a strong desire.
Be cautious with the tone; 貪 is pronounced with a high level tone (tān) which can be confused with other similarly pronounced words. It's often used in formal contexts, especially in literature or discussions about morality, so be mindful of the register you choose. Common collocations include 貪污 (tānwū - corruption) and 貪心 (tān xīn - greedy heart).
While 貪 is not officially part of HSK vocabulary, it relates to the themes of desires and morality found in HSK levels 4 and 5. Focus on understanding its usage in contexts related to ethics and personal values, as this can enhance vocabulary related to societal issues.
Learners often confuse 貪 with other characters that have similar pronunciations, such as 贪 (tān) and 谭 (tán). Remember that 貪 specifically refers to greed or covetousness, while the latter can have different meanings. Always double-check the context to ensure correct usage.
Pronunciation of 貪
Drill the tone of 貪 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 貪
Phonosemantic compound. 贝 represents the meaning and 今 represents the sound. Simplified form of 貪.
money
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 貪
Phonosemantic compound. 贝 represents the meaning and 今 represents the sound. Simplified form of 貪.
- 1The meaning half貝 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half今 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaymoney
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 貪? 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
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Decomposition of 貪
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How to say greedy, covetous; corrupt in Chinese
“greedy, covetous; corrupt” in Chinese is貪
The character 貪 (tān) means greedy or covetous, often implying an excessive desire for wealth or possessions. It can also convey a sense of corruption or moral decay in a more abstract sense. Commonly used in discussions about ethics, economics, or personal behavior.
When to use 貪
Be cautious with the tone; 貪 is pronounced with a high level tone (tān) which can be confused with other similarly pronounced words. It's often used in formal contexts, especially in literature or discussions about morality, so be mindful of the register you choose. Common collocations include 貪污 (tānwū - corruption) and 貪心 (tān xīn - greedy heart).
貪 or something close to it
贪 (tān) vs 渴望 (kěwàng) — use 貪 when referring to excessive greed rather than a strong desire.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 貪 with other characters that have similar pronunciations, such as 贪 (tān) and 谭 (tán). Remember that 貪 specifically refers to greed or covetousness, while the latter can have different meanings. Always double-check the context to ensure correct usage.
Write 貪
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Practice writing 貪 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 貪
Compound Meaning
What does 贪婪 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 貪
Common phrases include 貪心 (tān xīn - greedy) and 貪污 (tān wū - corruption).
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