zhān
栴
moisten; stain; benefit from
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
4 senses · 8 examplesverb
to moisten; to wet; to soak
Describes liquids permeating or wetting a surface.
Tā他
de的
yī衣
fu服
bèi被
hàn汗
shuǐ水
zhān沾
shī湿
le了
。
His clothes were soaked with sweat.
Chūn春
yǔ雨
zhān沾
shī湿
le了
dà大
dì地
。
The spring rain moistened the earth.
verb
to be stained with; to be soiled by contact
Often used for dust, dirt, or bad habits. Can be physical or metaphorical.
Wǒ我
de的
bái白
chèn衬
yī衣
zhān沾
shàng上
le了
yóu油
zì渍
。
My white shirt got stained with grease.
Nǐ你
bù不
yào要
zhān沾
rǎn染
shàng上
dǔ赌
bó博
de的
è恶
xí习
。
You shouldn't pick up the bad habit of gambling.
verb
to touch lightly; to come into slight contact
Often used in negative constructions or to indicate minimal contact.
Tā他
máng忙
de得
jiǎo脚
bù不
zhān沾
dì地
。
He was so busy that his feet didn't touch the ground.
Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
gēn跟
tā他
háo毫
bù不
zhān沾
biān边
。
This matter has nothing to do with him at all.
verb
to benefit from; to gain advantage through connection
Commonly used in phrases like 沾光. Often implies receiving benefits due to association with someone successful or powerful.
Tā他
zhān沾
le了
gē哥
ge哥
de的
guāng光
，
zhǎo找
dào到
le了
hǎo好
gōng工
zuò作
。
He benefited from his older brother's connections and found a good job.
Wǒ我
yě也
gēn跟
zhe着
zhān沾
le了
bù不
shǎo少
guāng光
。
I also benefited quite a bit by association.