HSK 3, n, 6 strokes, radical 人, rank #6944, Medium
伞
sǎn
parasol
HSK 3, n, 6 strokes, radical 人, rank #6944, Medium
伞
sǎn
damask silk
HSK 3, n, 6 strokes, radical 人, rank #6944, Medium
伞
sǎn
>伞[sǎn]
HSK 3, n, 6 strokes, radical 人, rank #6944, Medium
伞
sǎn
umbrella, parasol, parachute
HSK 3, n, 6 strokes, radical 人, rank #6944, Medium
sǎn(san3) T3
1umbrella
2parasol
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March 24, 2026
伞(傘)sǎn(san3)
The character 伞 (sǎn) refers to an umbrella or parasol, which is an essential item for protection against rain or sun. It is commonly used in everyday conversations when discussing weather or outdoor activities involving sun or precipitation.
Strokes6Radical人Frequency#6944DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In China, using an umbrella is not just a practical measure against weather; it also reflects social practices. For example, many people use umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun to maintain fair skin, which is culturally valued.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant umbrella (伞) that has a handle shaped like a person (亻). The character's left side represents a person, suggesting the umbrella is used by people to shield themselves from the elements. Visualize someone opening their umbrella to stay dry during a rainstorm to remember its meaning.
Meanings of 伞
sǎn(san3)
1umbrella
2parasol
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 伞
伞Simplified
傘Traditional
6Strokes
人Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6944Frequency Rank
把Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 伞
Podcast: 伞
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AI Study Notes for 伞
Quick Contrast
雨伞 (yǔsǎn) vs 太阳伞 (tàiyángsǎn) — use 伞 for general reference, while 雨伞 specifically refers to an umbrella for rain and 太阳伞 specifically refers to a sunshade.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant umbrella (伞) that has a handle shaped like a person (亻). The character's left side represents a person, suggesting the umbrella is used by people to shield themselves from the elements. Visualize someone opening their umbrella to stay dry during a rainstorm to remember its meaning.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 伞 (sǎn) with similar-sounding words in Mandarin. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but is most commonly used in everyday conversations. Pay attention to the measure word '把' (bǎ) when counting umbrellas, as in '一把伞' (yī bǎ sǎn - one umbrella).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 伞 helps learners expand their vocabulary related to daily life and weather. Students should focus on using it in sentences alongside other HSK Level 3 words related to weather, such as 雨 (yǔ - rain) and 晴 (qíng - sunny).
Cultural Note
In China, using an umbrella is not just a practical measure against weather; it also reflects social practices. For example, many people use umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun to maintain fair skin, which is culturally valued.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to use the correct measure word '把' (bǎ) when referring to umbrellas. For example, saying '一伞' (yī sǎn) is incorrect; the correct form is '一把伞' (yī bǎ sǎn).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 伞
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Grammar Patterns of 伞
伞 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 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.
It looks like rain, you'd better take an umbrella with you.
Cultural Notes for 伞
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, umbrellas are not only practical for rain and sun but also symbolize protection and good luck. Often seen in traditional weddings, they are believed to ward off evil spirits.
🏮Cultural insight
In China, using an umbrella is not just a practical measure against weather; it also reflects social practices. For example, many people use umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun to maintain fair skin, which is culturally valued.
Word Family of 伞
Words Containing This Character10
伞sǎnumbrella傘
跳伞tiàosǎnto parachute跳傘
降落伞parachute降落傘
雨伞umbrella雨傘
伞兵paratrooper傘兵
保护伞protective umbrella保護傘
阳伞parasol陽傘
滑翔伞paraglider滑翔傘
伞菌agaric傘菌
打伞to hold up an umbrella打傘
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 伞 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 伞
Yes, 伞 (sǎn) appears in various phrases, such as '撑伞' (chēng sǎn), which means 'to hold an umbrella.' While not as common in idiomatic expressions, it is a useful word to know for everyday conversation.
The measure word for 伞 (sǎn) is 把 (bǎ). In Chinese, when you want to specify the number of umbrellas, you would say '一把伞' (yī bǎ sǎn) for 'one umbrella'. This measure word is commonly used for objects that can be held in the hand.
伞 (sǎn) means 'umbrella' or 'parasol' in Chinese. It is used to refer to the object that provides protection from rain or sun. The character is commonly used in everyday conversation and is associated with the measure word 把 (bǎ) when counting umbrellas.
You can use 伞 (sǎn) in a sentence like '我带了一把伞' (wǒ dài le yī bǎ sǎn), which means 'I brought an umbrella.' Remember to pair it with the measure word 把 (bǎ) when indicating quantity.
You can say '我需要一把伞' (wǒ xūyào yī bǎ sǎn).
The measure word for umbrella is '把' (bǎ).
Yes, you can specify types, like '雨伞' (yǔ sǎn - rain umbrella) or '太阳伞' (tài yáng sǎn - sun umbrella).
