HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 口, rank #4444, Very Hard
喘
chuǎn
to pant
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 口, rank #4444, Very Hard
喘
chuǎn
asthma
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 口, rank #4444, Very Hard
喘
chuǎn
to pant, to gasp, to breathe heavily
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 口, rank #4444, Very Hard
chuǎn(chuan3)chuan T3
1to gasp
2to pant
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March 24, 2026
喘chuǎn(chuan3)
The character 喘 (chuǎn) refers to the act of gasping or panting, often due to physical exertion or respiratory distress. It can be used in medical contexts, such as describing asthma, and is commonly used to convey the struggle of breathing heavily after exercise or during illness.
Strokes12Radical口Frequency#4444DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, breathing techniques are vital for health, and understanding the concept of 喘 is important for discussing respiratory issues. It reflects the cultural emphasis on holistic health and wellness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person running up a steep hill, gasping for breath at the top. The sound of their breathing is like 'chuǎn', where the 'ch' sound echoes their struggle. The character itself has the mouth radical '口', symbolizing the act of breathing.
Meanings of 喘
chuǎn(chuan3)
1to gasp
2to pant
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 喘 means.
About 喘
喘Simplified
12Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4444Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 喘
Podcast: 喘
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AI Study Notes for 喘
Quick Contrast
喘 (chuǎn) vs 气喘 (qìchuǎn) — use 喘 (chuǎn) for the act of gasping, while 气喘 (qìchuǎn) specifically refers to asthma or wheezing.
Usage Notes
When using 喘, be mindful of its connotation; it often implies a sense of urgency or distress. It is generally used in informal contexts and can collocate with words for physical activities or health issues, such as '喘不过气来' (to be out of breath). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like '传' (to transmit).
HSK Study Tips
As this character is not specifically included in HSK levels, focus on its practical usage in describing physical conditions. It connects with other verbs related to breathing and health, such as '呼吸' (hūxī - to breathe), which students should also practice.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 喘 with '传' (to transmit) due to similar sounds. For instance, saying '我喘电话' (I gasp a phone) instead of '我喘气' (I gasp). Correctly using '喘' in the context of breathing is essential.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 喘
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How Well Do You Know 喘?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 喘 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
喘 = 口 + 耑. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 喘
IDS Structure⿰口耑
喘Full Character
=
口kou3
left
耑duan1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 喘?
How to say to gasp in Chinese
“to gasp” in Chinese is喘chuǎn
The character 喘 (chuǎn) refers to the act of gasping or panting, often due to physical exertion or respiratory distress. It can be used in medical contexts, such as describing asthma, and is commonly used to convey the struggle of breathing heavily after exercise or during illness.
When to use 喘
When using 喘, be mindful of its connotation; it often implies a sense of urgency or distress. It is generally used in informal contexts and can collocate with words for physical activities or health issues, such as '喘不过气来' (to be out of breath). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like '传' (to transmit).
喘 or something close to it
喘 (chuǎn) vs 气喘 (qìchuǎn) — use 喘 (chuǎn) for the act of gasping, while 气喘 (qìchuǎn) specifically refers to asthma or wheezing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 喘 with '传' (to transmit) due to similar sounds. For instance, saying '我喘电话' (I gasp a phone) instead of '我喘气' (I gasp). Correctly using '喘' in the context of breathing is essential.
Write 喘
喘
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Practice writing 喘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 喘
喘 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 4 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
对猫类过敏是哮____病发作最常见的诱因之一。
Allergy to cats is one of the commonest causes of asthma.