unknown, 19 strokes, radical 页, rank #9719, Very Hard
chàn(chan4) T4
1to tremble
2to shiver
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March 24, 2026
颤(顫)chàn(chan4)
The character 颤 (chàn) means to tremble or shake, often used to describe physical reactions to fear, cold, or excitement. It can also refer to vibrations, such as those caused by sound or movement. This word is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as describing a person's voice trembling due to emotion.
Strokes19Radical页Frequency#9719DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, showing emotion through trembling or shaking can be seen as a sign of vulnerability, often highlighted in literature and film. The expression of fear or excitement through physical reactions is a common trope in storytelling.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant fan that is so powerful it makes everything around it tremble and shake. The character 颤 (chàn) visually represents this shaking, with the top part resembling a wave that reflects movement and vibration. The pronunciation 'chàn' can remind you of the sound of something trembling or shaking.
Meanings of 颤
chàn(chan4)
1to tremble
2to shiver
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 颤
颤Simplified
顫Traditional
19Strokes
页Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9719Frequency Rank
Podcast: 颤
Podcast: 颤
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AI Study Notes for 颤
Quick Contrast
颤 (chàn) vs 震 (zhèn): Use 颤 for trembling due to fear or emotion, while 震 is used for shaking or vibrating due to force or impact.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 颤 (chàn) with similar words like 震 (zhèn), which means to shake or to shock in a more intense or violent way. 颤 is generally used in less formal contexts, and it's common to pair it with words like '声音' (shēngyīn - sound) to describe a trembling voice. Be careful with the tone; the second tone can change the meaning significantly.
HSK Study Tips
As this word is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, focus on its application in describing physical sensations and emotional states. It is beneficial to connect it with other HSK vocabulary related to emotions or physical actions, such as '害怕' (hàipà - to be afraid) or '抖' (dǒu - to shake).
Common Mistakes
A typical mistake is to confuse 颤 with 震; for example, saying '我很震' (Wǒ hěn zhèn) instead of '我很颤' (Wǒ hěn chàn) to express trembling from fear. Make sure to use 颤 when referring to emotional trembling rather than physical shaking caused by impact.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 颤
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2The sound half亶 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayleaf
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 颤? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 颤?
Decomposition of 颤
IDS Structure⿰亶页
颤Full Character
=
亶Dan3
left
页ye4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 颤?
How to say to tremble in Chinese
“to tremble” in Chinese is颤chàn
The character 颤 (chàn) means to tremble or shake, often used to describe physical reactions to fear, cold, or excitement. It can also refer to vibrations, such as those caused by sound or movement. This word is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as describing a person's voice trembling due to emotion.
When to use 颤
Learners often confuse 颤 (chàn) with similar words like 震 (zhèn), which means to shake or to shock in a more intense or violent way. 颤 is generally used in less formal contexts, and it's common to pair it with words like '声音' (shēngyīn - sound) to describe a trembling voice. Be careful with the tone; the second tone can change the meaning significantly.
颤 or something close to it
颤 (chàn) vs 震 (zhèn): Use 颤 for trembling due to fear or emotion, while 震 is used for shaking or vibrating due to force or impact.
What learners get wrong
A typical mistake is to confuse 颤 with 震; for example, saying '我很震' (Wǒ hěn zhèn) instead of '我很颤' (Wǒ hěn chàn) to express trembling from fear. Make sure to use 颤 when referring to emotional trembling rather than physical shaking caused by impact.
Write 颤
颤
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Practice writing 颤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 颤
颤 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 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
电梯开动了，接着剧烈震____起来，然后就毫无反应了。
The lift started off, juddered, and went out of action.
