sǎn

散

HSK 5Character · Verb · Adjective · Noun

loose; fragmented; powder; surname

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

4 senses · 16 examples
1.

verb

to be loose; to come apart; to disperse loosely

neutral

Describes things that are not tightly bound or groups that have broken apart.

Zhè这
kǔn捆
kǔn捆
de得
tài太
sōng松
 ,
dōu都
sàn散
le了
 。

This bundle was tied too loosely and came apart.

Bié别
pǎo跑
nà那
me么
kuài快
 ,
duì队
wu伍
dōu都
zǒu走
sǎn散
le了
 。

Don't run so fast, the group has spread out and separated.

Show 3 more examples
Shā沙
fā发
tào套
yǒu有
diǎn点
sǎn散
 ,
xū需
yào要
féng缝
yī一
xià下
 。

The sofa cover is a bit loose and needs to be sewn back.

Zhè这
fèn份
wén文
jiàn件
de的
yè页
mǎ码
sǎn散
le了
 ,
děi得
chóng重
xīn新
zhuāng装
dìng订
 。

The pages of this document have come loose and need to be rebound.

Sōng松
sǎn散
de的
shā沙
zi子
róng容
yì易
bèi被
fēng风
chuī吹
zǒu走
 。

Loose sand is easily blown away by the wind.

2.

adjective

fragmented; scattered; unconsolidated

neutral

Describes things that are not gathered together or sold in separate portions.

Zhè这
jiā家
diàn店
mài卖
sǎn散
zhuāng装
de的
líng零
shí食
 。

This shop sells unpackaged, loose snacks.

Tā他
sǎn散
jū居
zài在
xiāng乡
xià下
de的
jǐ几
gè个
xiǎo小
cūn村
zhuāng庄
lǐ里
 。

He lives scattered across several small villages in the countryside.

Show 3 more examples
Sǎn散
zhuāng装
qì汽
yóu油
xū需
yào要
shí实
míng名
dēng登
jì记
cái才
néng能
gòu购
mǎi买
 。

Loose gasoline requires real-name registration to purchase.

Sǎn散
jū居
hǎi海
wài外
de的
huá华
rén人
jīng经
cháng常
huì会
zǔ组
zhī织
lián联
yì谊
huó活
dòng动
 。

Overseas Chinese living scattered often organize联谊 activities.

Zhè这
zhǒng种
sǎn散
zhuāng装
chá茶
yè叶
de的
jià价
gé格
bǐ比
bāo包
zhuāng装
hǎo好
de的
pián便
yí宜
hěn很
duō多
 。

The price of this loose tea is much cheaper than pre-packaged tea.

3.

noun

powder (traditional Chinese medicine)

formal

Almost exclusively used in the names of traditional Chinese medicine preparations.

Yī医
shēng生
gěi给
wǒ我
kāi开
le了
jiàn健
wèi胃
sǎn散
hé和
xiāo消
yán炎
yào药
 。

The doctor prescribed stomach-strengthening powder and anti-inflammatory medicine for me.

Chuán传
tǒng统
zhōng中
yào药
yǒu有
wán丸
 、
sǎn散
 、
gāo膏
 、
dān丹
sì四
zhǒng种
jì剂
xíng型
 。

Traditional Chinese medicine has four preparations: pills, powder, ointment, and pill extracts.

Show 3 more examples
Zhè这
zhǒng种
sān三
qī七
sǎn散
kě可
yǐ以
yòng用
lái来
zhǐ止
xuè血
xiāo消
zhǒng肿
 。

This panax notoginseng powder can be used to stop bleeding and reduce swelling.

Tā他
àn按
pèi配
fāng方
yán研
mó磨
le了
zhǐ止
ké咳
sǎn散
 。

He ground cough-suppressing powder according to the formula.

Bǎn板
lán蓝
gēn根
sǎn散
shì是
cháng常
jiàn见
de的
gǎn感
mào冒
yòng用
yào药
 。

Isatis root powder is a common cold medication.

4.

noun

surname

neutral

A relatively rare Chinese family name.

Sǎn散
xiān先
shēng生
shì是
wǒ我
men们
gōng公
sī司
de的
lǎo老
kè客
hù户
 。

Mr. San is an old client of our company.