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赞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
赞zànto praiseHSK 4, v, 16 strokes, radical 贝, rank #4515, Medium
赞zànto patronizeHSK 4, v, 16 strokes, radical 贝, rank #4515, Medium
赞zànto supportHSK 4, v, 16 strokes, radical 贝, rank #4515, Medium
赞zànto help, to support; to laud, to praiseHSK 4, v, 16 strokes, radical 贝, rank #4515, Medium
赞zàn(Internet slang) to like (an online post on Facebook etc)HSK 4, unknown, 16 strokes, radical 贝, rank #4515, Medium
zàn(zan4)zan T4
  1. 1to praise
  2. 2to patronize
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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#4515DifficultyMedium
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

By ear

Play it, then pick what 赞 means.

About 赞

赞Simplified
讃Traditional
16Strokes
贝Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4515Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4

Podcast: 赞

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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.

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.

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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Etymology of 赞

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~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.

Memory hint

money

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

Origin

赞 = 贝 + 兟. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 赞

IDS Structure⿱兟贝
赞Full character
=
兟shen1
top
贝Bei4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 赞?

How to say to praise in Chinese

“to praise” in Chinese is赞zàn

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.

When to use 赞

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.

赞 or something close to it

赞 (zàn) vs 支持 (zhīchí) — use 赞 when emphasizing praise or admiration, while 支持 focuses more on providing support or backing.

What learners get wrong

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.'

Write 赞

赞

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 5 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.

Related grammar lessons3
是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

This pattern emphasizes the action or the way in which the action is performed, often used to clarify the context or reason behind the praise.

这本书是我赞的。

Zhè běn shū shì wǒ zàn de.

This book is one that I praised.

Exercise 1 of 1

Build it

Put the words in order to say “This book is one that I praised.”.

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Common confusions with 赞

赞vs贊
zàn

Traditional form of 赞 with similar meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “to praise”?

or

Usage Notes for 赞

Confusion with Similar CharactersCommon Error

Learners often confuse 赞 with its traditional variant 贊 or its similar-looking forms. It's important to recognize their contexts.

1

我在Facebook上赞了她的帖子。

I liked her post on Facebook.

Exercise 1 of 1

Get it right

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我在Facebook上____了她的帖子。

I liked her post on Facebook.

Example sentences for 赞 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这个组合的首张专辑一经推出便被盛赞为嘻哈乐的经典之作。

zhège zǔhé de shǒu zhāng zhuānjí yī Jīng tuīchū biàn bèi chéng zàn wèi xī Hā lè de jīngdiǎn zhī zuō。

The group's debut album was immediately acclaimed a hip hop classic.
2
我极不赞成你试图达成的目标。

wǒ jí bù zànchéng nǐ shìtú dáchéng de mùbiāo。

I'm highly unsympathetic to what you are trying to achieve.
3
在这一点上专家们低声赞同。

zài zhè yīdiǎn shàng zhuānjiā men dī shēng zàntóng。

At this point there were murmurings of approval from the experts.
4
双方的有识之士都会称赞这本书。

shuāngfāng de yǒu shí zhī shì dūhuì chēngzàn zhè běn shū。

Thinking people on both sides will applaud this book.
5
他的礼物是很友好的表示，这值得称赞。

tā de lǐwù shì hěn yǒuhǎo de biǎoshì， zhè zhídé chēngzàn。

His gift was an extremely kind gesture. Credit where credit's due.
6
他赞成增加每天的课时并延长学年。

tā zànchéng zēngjiā měi tiān de kè shí bìng yáncháng xuénián。

He favors extending the school day and school year.
7
一片赞成声在乌克兰议会中回响。

yī piàn zànchéng shēng zài Wū kè lán yìhuì zhōng huíxiǎng。

A roar of approval resounded through the Ukrainian parliament.
8
他称赞了她在反种族隔离制的斗争中发挥的重要作用。

tā chēngzàn le tā zài fǎn zhǒngzú gélí zhì de dòuzhēng zhōng fāhuī de zhòngyào zuòyòng。

He praised her role in the struggle against apartheid.
9
首相的新方案有不少令人赞许之处。

shǒuxiàng de xīn fāngàn yǒu bùshǎo lìng rén zànxǔ zhī chǔ。

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 méitǐ chēngzàn de yào yǒu cáihuá。

Bratbakk had more ability than the media gave him credit for.
11
他的演讲受到了观众的热烈赞美。

Tā de yǎnjiǎng shòudào le guānzhòng de rèliè zànměi.

His speech received enthusiastic praise from the audience.
12
这位厨师的创新菜品广受赞誉，吸引了许多美食爱好者前来品尝。

Zhè wèi chúshī de chuàngxīn càipǐn guǎng shòu zànyù, xīyǐnle xǔduō měishí àihǎozhě qián lái pǐncháng.

The chef's innovative dishes have been widely praised, attracting many food enthusiasts to come and taste.
13
他的慈善工作得到了社会各界的赞赏，并激励了更多人参与其中。

Tā de císhàn gōngzuò dédàole shèhuì gèjiè de zànshǎng, bìng jīlìle gèng duō rén cānyù qízhōng.

His charitable work has received praise from all sectors of society and inspired more people to participate.
14
他的演讲受到了观众的热烈赞美。

Tā de yǎnjiǎng shòudào le guānzhòng de rèliè zànměi.

His speech received enthusiastic praise from the audience.
15
这位厨师的创新菜品广受赞誉，吸引了许多美食爱好者前来品尝。

Zhè wèi chúshī de chuàngxīn càipǐn guǎng shòu zànyù, xīyǐnle xǔduō měishí àihǎozhě qián lái pǐncháng.

The chef's innovative dishes have been widely praised, attracting many food enthusiasts to come and taste.
16
他的慈善工作得到了社会各界的赞赏，并激励了更多人参与其中。

Tā de císhàn gōngzuò dédàole shèhuì gèjiè de zànshǎng, bìng jīlìle gèng duō rén cānyù qízhōng.

His charitable work has received praise from all sectors of society and inspired more people to participate.

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Word Family of 赞

Compounds5
攒cuánto bring together
瓒zànceremonial libation cup
缵zuǎnto continue, to carry on; to succeed
趱zǎnto urge, to hasten; to go in a hurry
躜zuānto 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zànyùto praise贊譽
赞助商zànzhùshāngsponsor贊助商
赞成票zànchéngpiàoapproval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zànbǐyàZambia贊比亞
赞颂zànsòngto bless讚頌
参赞cānzànattache參贊
夸赞kuāzànto praise誇贊
盛赞shèngzànan accolade盛讚
赞叹不已zàntànbùyǐto be full of praise (idiom)贊嘆不已
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 赞

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.

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