Meanings of 閃
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 閃
Podcast: 閃
Podcast: 閃
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 閃
閃 (shǎn) vs 亮 (liàng) — use 閃 when emphasizing a brief or sudden flash, while 亮 refers to a steady brightness.
Be careful not to confuse 閃 (shǎn) with similar sounding words like 珊 (shān), which means coral. It is generally used in both informal and formal contexts, but when discussing evasion in a serious context, ensure clarity to avoid misunderstandings. Common collocations include 閃光 (shǎnguāng, 'flash of light') and 閃避 (shǎnbì, 'to evade').
While 閃 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other verbs that describe movement or action, such as 跑 (pǎo, 'to run') or 走 (zǒu, 'to walk'). Focus on how to use it in phrases that describe quick actions or movements to grasp its nuances effectively.
Learners often confuse 閃 (shǎn) with related terms like 閃爍 (shǎnruò, 'to twinkle') and may incorrectly use it to mean 'to shine' in a static sense. A correct usage would be: '他閃過問題' (tā shǎn guò wèntí, 'He dodged the question').
Pronunciation of 閃
Drill the tone of 閃 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 閃
Simplified form of 閃. Depicts a person (人) standing in the middle of a doorway (門).
A man 人 just glimpsed through a door 門
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 閃
Simplified form of 閃. Depicts a person (人) standing in the middle of a doorway (門).
- 1The giveawayA man 人 just glimpsed through a door 門
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 閃? 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
What type of character formation is 閃?
Decomposition of 閃
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 閃?
How to say flash, lightning; to dodge, to evade in Chinese
“flash, lightning; to dodge, to evade” in Chinese is閃
The character 閃 (shǎn) primarily means 'to flash' or 'to shine briefly,' often associated with lightning or quick movements. It can also mean 'to dodge' or 'to evade,' indicating a swift action to avoid something. This dual meaning allows for usage in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as avoiding a difficult question.
When to use 閃
Be careful not to confuse 閃 (shǎn) with similar sounding words like 珊 (shān), which means coral. It is generally used in both informal and formal contexts, but when discussing evasion in a serious context, ensure clarity to avoid misunderstandings. Common collocations include 閃光 (shǎnguāng, 'flash of light') and 閃避 (shǎnbì, 'to evade').
閃 or something close to it
閃 (shǎn) vs 亮 (liàng) — use 閃 when emphasizing a brief or sudden flash, while 亮 refers to a steady brightness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 閃 (shǎn) with related terms like 閃爍 (shǎnruò, 'to twinkle') and may incorrectly use it to mean 'to shine' in a static sense. A correct usage would be: '他閃過問題' (tā shǎn guò wèntí, 'He dodged the question').
Write 閃
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 閃 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 閃
Compound Meaning
What does 闪 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 閃
The tone for 閃 is the third tone (shǎn), which means it has a falling-rising pitch.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 閃?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.