傳 (chuán) - To transmit & to pass on

傳Tone 2

chuán ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

傳 · chuán

To transmit;

to pass on;

to spread;

to convey;

to teach;

to summon;

to conduct;

also refers to a biography or chronicle.

To transmitto pass onto spread

Usage highlights

To transmitTraditionBiographyTo spreadTo teach/impartTo summon

Synonyms

  • 递— To pass, to hand over
  • 授— To teach, to instruct, to confer
  • 播— To sow, to broadcast, to spread

Antonyms

  • 收— To receive, to collect
  • 断— To break, to sever (as in a lineage or transmission)
  • 绝— To cut off, to terminate

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He passed on the message (传递信息).
  • This tradition is handed down (传统).
  • I am reading a biography of a famous person (传记).
  • The teacher imparts knowledge (传授知识).
  • The rumor spread quickly (谣言传播).

Collocations

  • To transmit(传递)
  • Tradition(传统)
  • Biography(传记)
  • To spread(传播)
  • To teach/impart(传授)
  • To summon(传唤)

Idioms

  • To spread from mouth to mouth(口耳相传)
  • To pass on the sacred flame(传薪)
  • To pass on the teachings to devoted disciples(传道授业)
  • To be handed down from age to age(世代相传)
  • To spread like wildfire(不胫而走)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character embodies the Confucian value of transmitting cultural and moral knowledge across generations.
  • In historical context, '传' was crucial for recording and preserving the deeds of notable figures in official histories.
  • The concept of 'tradition' (传统) is central to Chinese cultural identity, emphasizing continuity with the past.

FAQ