(Internet slang) to like (an online post on Facebook etc)
HSK 4, unknown, 16 strokes, radical 贝, rank #4515, Hard
zàn(zan4) T4
1>赞[zàn]
2to praise
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March 24, 2026
赞(讃)zàn(zan4)
The character 赞 (zàn) primarily means 'to praise' or 'to support.' It is commonly used in both formal contexts, such as giving commendations, and informal settings, especially in online interactions where it signifies liking or endorsing something, similar to clicking 'like' on social media.
Strokes16Radical贝Frequency#4515DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In modern Chinese culture, especially among younger generations, 赞 (zàn) has gained popularity in online communication, reflecting the influence of social media on language. It highlights the importance of social validation and community support in digital interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person giving a thumbs-up (赞) while praising a friend for their work. The character resembles a person raising their hand in approval, with the left component suggesting 'to speak' (口) and the right suggesting 'to support' (赞). Picture this scene to remember both the form and meaning.
Meanings of 赞
zàn(zan4)
1to praise
2to patronize
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 赞
赞Simplified
讃Traditional
16Strokes
贝Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4515Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4
Podcast: 赞
Podcast: 赞
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AI Study Notes for 赞
Quick Contrast
赞 (zàn) vs 支持 (zhīchí) — use 赞 when emphasizing praise or admiration, while 支持 focuses more on providing support or backing.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person giving a thumbs-up (赞) while praising a friend for their work. The character resembles a person raising their hand in approval, with the left component suggesting 'to speak' (口) and the right suggesting 'to support' (赞). Picture this scene to remember both the form and meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 赞 (zàn) with other similar-sounding verbs like 赞美 (zànměi, to praise) and 赞同 (zàntóng, to agree). It is generally informal when used in online contexts, so be mindful of the setting when using it. Additionally, remember to use the correct tone for this word, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
While 赞 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other words related to approval and positivity, like 喜欢 (xǐhuān, to like) and 赞美 (zànměi, to praise). Students should focus on recognizing its usage in both spoken and written forms, especially in social media.
Cultural Note
In modern Chinese culture, especially among younger generations, 赞 (zàn) has gained popularity in online communication, reflecting the influence of social media on language. It highlights the importance of social validation and community support in digital interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 赞 with 赞同 (to agree) and use it incorrectly, saying '我赞同你的工作' when they mean to praise. The correct phrase would be '我赞你的工作.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 赞
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六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Simplified form of 贊. Phonosemantic compound. 貝 represents the meaning and 兟 represents the sound. Shells (貝) were used as currency in ancient China. Used here to depict financial support.
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Practice writing 赞 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 赞
赞 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 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
The Prime Minister's initiative has much to commend it.
10
布拉特巴克比媒体称赞的要有才华。
bù lā tè bā kè bǐ méi tǐ chēng zàn de yào yǒu cái huá。
Bratbakk had more ability than the media gave him credit for.
Cultural Notes for 赞
🏮Cultural insight
In modern Chinese culture, especially among younger generations, 赞 (zàn) has gained popularity in online communication, reflecting the influence of social media on language. It highlights the importance of social validation and community support in digital interactions.
Word Family of 赞
Compounds5
攒cuan2to bring together
瓒zan4ceremonial libation cup
缵zuan3to continue, to carry on; to succeed
趱zan3to urge, to hasten; to go in a hurry
躜zuan1to jump
Words Containing This Character20
赞zànto patronize贊
赞成zànchéngto approve贊成
赞助zànzhùto support贊助
赞同zàntóngto approve of讚同
赞美zànměito admire讚美
称赞chēngzànto praise稱讚
赞扬zànyángto praise讚揚
赞赏zànshǎngto admire讚賞
赞叹zàntànto exclaim in admiration讚嘆
赞誉to praise贊譽
赞助商sponsor贊助商
赞成票approval贊成票
赞许zànxǔto praise讚許
赞不绝口zànbùjuékǒuto praise without cease (idiom); praise sb to high heaven讚不絕口
赞比亚Zambia贊比亞
赞颂to bless讚頌
参赞attache參贊
夸赞to praise誇贊
盛赞an accolade盛讚
赞叹不已zàntànbùyǐto be full of praise (idiom)贊嘆不已
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 攒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 赞
赞 (zàn) is the simplified version, while 讚 is the traditional character. Both characters convey the same meaning of 'to praise' or 'to like.' The choice between them often depends on the writing system being used, with 赞 being common in mainland China and 讚 in regions like Taiwan.
Yes, 赞 (zàn) is commonly used in everyday conversation, especially among younger generations who frequently use social media. It's often used to express approval or support for someone's actions or opinions, both in spoken and written forms.
赞 (zàn) means 'to praise' or 'to like' in the context of online interactions, such as liking a post on social media. It is a variant of the traditional character 讚. Additionally, it can indicate approval or admiration in various contexts.
You can use 赞 (zàn) in a sentence to express approval or praise. For example, '我赞这个想法' (Wǒ zàn zhège xiǎngfǎ) means 'I praise this idea.' In online contexts, you might say '我赞了他的帖子' (Wǒ zànle tā de tiězi), meaning 'I liked his post.'
赞 (zàn) is a more informal way to express praise or support, while 赞美 (zànměi) is more formal and can suggest a deeper appreciation.
While 赞 can be used formally, it is more common in informal settings or online; in formal contexts, prefer using 赞美 or 赞同.
You can say '我赞你的工作' (Wǒ zàn nǐ de gōngzuò), which means 'I praise your work.'
