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March 24, 2026
跚shān(shan1)
The character 跚 (shān) means to stagger or limp, often used to describe a person who walks unsteadily due to injury or fatigue. In a broader context, it can imply a lack of stability or confidence in movement. This character is commonly used in literary texts and can evoke a sense of struggle or instability.
Strokes12Radical足Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, a person's ability to walk steadily is often associated with their overall health and energy balance, making the concept of limping or staggering particularly significant in discussions about well-being.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person trying to walk straight but instead swaying side to side like a ship in a storm. The character 跚 has the radical '足' (foot) at the bottom, reminding you that it relates to walking, while the top part can be visualized as a person trying to maintain balance, leading to the sound 'shān'.
Meanings of 跚
shān(shan1)
1to stagger, to limp
2limp
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 跚
跚Simplified
12Strokes
足Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 跚
Podcast: 跚
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AI Study Notes for 跚
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person trying to walk straight but instead swaying side to side like a ship in a storm. The character 跚 has the radical '足' (foot) at the bottom, reminding you that it relates to walking, while the top part can be visualized as a person trying to maintain balance, leading to the sound 'shān'.
Usage Notes
When using 跚, be aware that it can carry a negative connotation of weakness or vulnerability. It is often used in informal contexts when describing someone's physical state. A common collocation is '走路走得很跚' (to walk very unsteadily).
HSK Study Tips
Though 跚 is not currently included in HSK vocabulary lists, it can be useful for advanced learners exploring descriptive language. Students should focus on recognizing its components and understanding its usage in context, particularly in literature or conversations about health.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, a person's ability to walk steadily is often associated with their overall health and energy balance, making the concept of limping or staggering particularly significant in discussions about well-being.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 跚 with similar-sounding characters like 伤 (shāng, meaning 'to injure'). For example, saying '我走得很伤' instead of '我走得很跚' would be incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 跚
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Grammar Patterns of 跚
跚 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
亚当蹒____而行，沿路留下毁坏的痕迹。
Adam stumbles on, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake.
Example Sentences for 跚 (10)
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1
亚当蹒跚而行，沿路留下毁坏的痕迹。
yà dāng pán shān ér háng， ， yán lù liú xià huǐ huài de hén。
Adam stumbles on, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake.
2
那只狗伸着舌头从树林里蹒跚地跑回来。
nà zhī gǒu shēn zháo shé tóu cóng shù lín lǐ pán shān dì pǎo huí lái。
Tongue lolling, the dog came lolloping back from the forest.
3
那条狗蹒跚地向他们跑来。
nà tiáo gǒu pán shān dì xiàng tā mén pǎo lái。
The dog came lolloping towards them.
4
我们的马沿着泥泞小路蹒跚而行。
wǒ mén de mǎ yán zháo ní nìng xiǎo lù pán shān ér háng。
Our horses plodded down the muddy track.
5
它步态蹒跚,吃饱了的身体更显得笨拙可笑.
tā bù tài pán shān, , chī bǎo le de shēn tǐ gēng xiǎn dé bèn zhuō kě.
Its body looks heavy and clumsy when it has eaten its fill.
6
蹒跚学步的孩子指着想要的玩具.
pán shān xué bù de hái zǐ zhǐ zháo xiǎng yào de wán jù.
The toddler pointed to the toy he wanted.
7
老人在他的孙子挽扶下蹒跚而行.
lǎo rén zài tā de sūn zǐ wǎn fú xià pán shān ér háng.
The old man hobbled along with the help of his grandson.
The old man with his basket of books staggers out of the door.
Cultural Notes for 跚
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, a person's ability to walk steadily is often associated with their overall health and energy balance, making the concept of limping or staggering particularly significant in discussions about well-being.
Word Family of 跚
Words Containing This Character2
蹒跚to stagger蹣跚
跚shānlimp
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 蹒跚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 跚
It is pronounced as 'shān'.
It is not commonly used in daily conversation but may appear in literary or formal contexts.
While primarily physical, it can metaphorically imply emotional instability in certain contexts.
