Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
疝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
疝shànhernia; to rupturezg, 8 strokes, radical 疒, rank #28730, Very Hard
shàn(shan4) T4
  1. 1hernia; to rupture
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

疝shàn(shan4)

The character 疝 (shàn) refers primarily to a medical condition known as a hernia, where an organ or tissue protrudes through an abnormal opening. It can also imply the act of rupturing or breaking apart. Usage is mostly found in medical contexts and discussions about health-related issues.

Strokes8Radical疒Frequency#28730DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the concept of hernias is acknowledged, and treatment may involve herbal remedies or acupuncture, reflecting the holistic approach to health in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'shank' (similar to 'shàn') that has ruptured or broken, causing a bulge or hernia. The character itself has a 'sickness' radical (疒) on the left, hinting at its medical meaning. Visualize a doctor examining a patient with a noticeable bulge, which represents the concept of a hernia.

Meanings of 疝

shàn(shan4)
1hernia; to rupture
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 疝

疝Simplified
8Strokes
疒Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 疝

JasonAmy

Podcast: 疝

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 疝

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the pronunciation, as mispronouncing 'shàn' can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words. This term is primarily used in medical contexts, so it is more formal. Common collocations include 疝气 (shànqì), meaning hernia.

HSK Study Tips

Although not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding 疝 can enhance medical vocabulary at HSK 5 and above. Students should focus on recognizing medical radicals and related terms to expand their healthcare-related language skills.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 疝 with similar-sounding words. For example, saying '山' (shān, mountain) instead of '疝' (shàn). Always remember the sickness radical (疒) to avoid this mistake.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 疝

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 疝 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 疝

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 山 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

sickness

Semantic (meaning)疒
+
Phonetic (sound)山
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 疝

Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 山 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half疒 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half山 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaysickness
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 疝? 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 疝?

Decomposition of 疝

IDS Structure⿸疒山
疝Full Character
=
疒ne4
enclosing
山Shan1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 疝?

How to say hernia; to rupture in Chinese

“hernia; to rupture” in Chinese is疝shàn

The character 疝 (shàn) refers primarily to a medical condition known as a hernia, where an organ or tissue protrudes through an abnormal opening. It can also imply the act of rupturing or breaking apart. Usage is mostly found in medical contexts and discussions about health-related issues.

When to use 疝

Be cautious with the pronunciation, as mispronouncing 'shàn' can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words. This term is primarily used in medical contexts, so it is more formal. Common collocations include 疝气 (shànqì), meaning hernia.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 疝 with similar-sounding words. For example, saying '山' (shān, mountain) instead of '疝' (shàn). Always remember the sickness radical (疒) to avoid this mistake.

Write 疝

疝

Practice writing 疝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 疝

Words Containing This Character2
疝shànhernia
疝气hernia疝氣
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 疝 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 疝

You can say '他得了疝气' (Tā déle shànqì), which means 'He has a hernia.'

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 疝?

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.