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March 24, 2026
沾zhān(zhan1)
The character 沾 (zhān) primarily means to moisten or wet something. It is commonly used in contexts where something is touched lightly or comes into contact with a liquid. Additionally, it can imply receiving benefits indirectly, such as gaining something advantageous through association or connection.
Strokes8Radical氵Frequency#3637DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of 'moistening' is important for health, as certain foods and herbs are believed to have moistening properties that benefit the body. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on balance and harmony in health.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sponge (the character's form) that soaks up water (moisten). The 'zh' sound in zhān can remind you of 'drain' which is the opposite of moisten, creating a vivid contrast to help you remember the meaning.
Meanings of 沾
zhān(zhan1)
1to moisten
2to be infected by
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 沾
沾Simplified
8Strokes
氵Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#3637Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 沾
Podcast: 沾
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AI Study Notes for 沾
Quick Contrast
沾 (zhān) vs 湿 (shī) — use 沾 for light contact with liquid, while 湿 indicates something is thoroughly wet.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sponge (the character's form) that soaks up water (moisten). The 'zh' sound in zhān can remind you of 'drain' which is the opposite of moisten, creating a vivid contrast to help you remember the meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 沾 with similar characters like 湿 (shī, wet) or 没 (méi, not), which can lead to errors in context. This character is more informal and should be used in everyday conversations rather than formal writing. Common collocations include 沾水 (zhān shuǐ, to get wet) and 沾光 (zhān guāng, to benefit from someone else's success).
HSK Study Tips
Though 沾 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other Level 3 and 4 words about moisture and contact, such as 湿 (wet) and 触 (touch). Students should focus on recognizing it in context and understanding its various meanings.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of 'moistening' is important for health, as certain foods and herbs are believed to have moistening properties that benefit the body. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on balance and harmony in health.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 沾 in contexts where they should use 没 (méi, not) or 干 (gān, dry). For example, saying '我沾干了' (Wǒ zhān gān le) instead of '我干了' (Wǒ gān le, I dried it) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 沾
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Grammar Patterns of 沾
沾 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我的双手、靴子和裤子上都____满了泥巴。
My hands, boots and trousers were plastered with mud.
Example Sentences for 沾 (10)
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1
我的双手、靴子和裤子上都沾满了泥巴。
wǒ de shuāng shǒu、 、 xuē zǐ hé kù zǐ shàng dū zhān mǎn le ní。
My hands, boots and trousers were plastered with mud.
2
他强忍住沾沾自喜的笑容。
tā qiáng rěn zhù zhān zhān zì xǐ de xiào róng。
He tried hard not to smile in smug self-satisfaction.
3
那名烟酒不沾的模特儿不应做任何对自己名声不利的事情。
nà míng yān jiǔ bù zhān de mó tè ér bù yīng zuò rèn hé duì zì jǐ míng shēng bù lì de shì qíng。
The non-drinking, non smoking model should do nothing to risk her reputation.
4
他坐下来脱掉那沾满泥的靴子。
tā zuò xià lái tuō diào nà zhān mǎn ní de xuē zǐ。
He sat down to remove his mud-crusted boots.
5
没人认为应该鼓励现在滴酒不沾的人去狂喝豪饮。
méi rén rèn wéi yīng gāi gǔ lì xiàn zài dī jiǔ bù zhān de rén qù kuáng hē háo yǐn。
No one believes that current nondrinkers should be encouraged to start imbibing.
6
雪沾手就化.
xuě zhān shǒu jiù huà.
The snowflakes melt the moment they touch one's hand.
7
他总是穿着那条沾满油污的旧牛仔裤.
tā zǒng shì chuān zháo nà tiáo zhān mǎn yóu wū de jiù niú zī kù.
The grass was dewy, the apples green and raw, but already fragrant.
9
她已经设法将内利身上沾满血污的破烂衣衫脱掉了。
tā yǐ jīng shè fǎ jiāng nèi lì shēn shàng zhān mǎn xiě wū de pò làn yī shān tuō diào le。
She'd managed to strip the bloodied rags away from Nellie's body.
10
他们指责他是沾了总统的光。
tā mén zhǐ zé tā shì zhān le zǒng tǒng de guāng。
They accused him of riding on the coat-tails of the president.
Cultural Notes for 沾
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of 'moistening' is important for health, as certain foods and herbs are believed to have moistening properties that benefit the body. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on balance and harmony in health.
Word Family of 沾
Compounds2
惉
霑zhan1moist, soaked; to moisten
Words Containing This Character13
沾zhānto moisten
沾满muddy沾滿
沾染to be infected by
沾沾自喜immeasurably self-satisfied
沾边to be relevant沾邊
沾光zhānguāngto bask in the light
沾湿to moisten沾濕
沾花惹草to womanize
沾化Zhanhu county in Binzhou 濱州|滨州[Bīnzhōu], Shandong
沾益Zhanyi county in Qujing 曲靖[Qǔjìng], Yunnan霑益
沾益县Zhanyi county in Qujing 曲靖[Qǔjìng], Yunnan霑益縣
沾化县Zhanhu county in Binzhou 濱州|滨州[Bīnzhōu], Shandong沾化縣
均沾to share (profits)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 霑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 沾
You can say '手沾水了' (Shǒu zhān shuǐ le), meaning 'My hand got wet.'
沾 is primarily used in informal contexts, suitable for everyday conversations.
Common collocations include 沾水 (get wet) and 沾光 (benefit from someone).
