Meanings of 干
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About 干
Podcast: 干
Podcast: 干
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AI Study Notes for 干
干 (gàn) vs 做 (zuò) — use 干 for informal contexts or when referring to managing tasks, while 做 is more formal and general for 'to do'.
Common mistakes include confusing 干 with 乾 (gān), which has similar pronunciations but different meanings. When using 干 in informal contexts, be cautious of its vulgar meanings; ensure the audience is appropriate for such language. Additionally, it frequently collocates with verbs like '做' (zuò, to do) and '事' (shì, matter), so practice these combinations.
As an HSK Level 4 word, 干 connects with other verbs about actions and tasks, such as 做 (zuò) and 行 (xíng). Students should focus on the different contexts in which 干 can be used and practice with phrases that combine it with other words to build fluency.
Learners often confuse 干 with its homophone 乾 (gān), which means 'dry' in a different context. For example, saying '我干衣服' (Wǒ gān yīfú) instead of '我在干衣服' (Wǒ zài gān yīfú) can lead to miscommunication, as it omits the necessary verb construction.
Pronunciation of 干
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Etymology of 干
Pictograph of a shild. In simplified Chinese 干 is also used to mean "dry", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 乾. In simplified Chinese 干 is also used to mean "tree trunk; do", while in traditional Chinese
A club or axe
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 干
Pictograph of a shild. In simplified Chinese 干 is also used to mean "dry", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 乾. In simplified Chinese 干 is also used to mean "tree trunk; do", while in traditional Chinese
- 1The giveawayA club or axe
- 2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 干? 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 干?
Decomposition of 干
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 干?
How to say dry in Chinese
“dry” in Chinese is干
The character 干 (gān) primarily means 'to do' or 'to manage' and can refer to actions such as working on a task or handling something. It has numerous meanings, including 'dry' and 'clean,' and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, sometimes even with vulgar connotations. This versatility makes it essential for learners to understand its various usages in different contexts.
When to use 干
Common mistakes include confusing 干 with 乾 (gān), which has similar pronunciations but different meanings. When using 干 in informal contexts, be cautious of its vulgar meanings; ensure the audience is appropriate for such language. Additionally, it frequently collocates with verbs like '做' (zuò, to do) and '事' (shì, matter), so practice these combinations.
干 or something close to it
干 (gàn) vs 做 (zuò) — use 干 for informal contexts or when referring to managing tasks, while 做 is more formal and general for 'to do'.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 干 with its homophone 乾 (gān), which means 'dry' in a different context. For example, saying '我干衣服' (Wǒ gān yīfú) instead of '我在干衣服' (Wǒ zài gān yīfú) can lead to miscommunication, as it omits the necessary verb construction.
Write 干
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Practice writing 干 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 干
干 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 20 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.
Complete the Sentence
这个房间很____净。
This room is very clean.
Common Confusions with 干
Similar pronunciation, but refers to a physical object.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "dry"?
Example Sentences for 干 (13)
Cultural Notes for 干
'干' is a versatile character in Chinese, used in various contexts. Its old variant '乾' also means 'dry' and is often associated with elements in Chinese philosophy.
Word Family of 干
Compound Meaning
What does 平 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 干
干 (gān) and 乾 (gān) are old variants of each other, but they are used in different contexts. 干 is commonly used for meanings related to cleaning, fostering, or the act of drying, while 乾 is often associated with the concept of 'dry' or 'heaven' in philosophical contexts. It's important to use the correct character based on the meaning you intend to convey.
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