填 (tián) - To fill & to stuff

填Tone 2

tián ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

檀婷

填 · tián

To fill;

to stuff;

to cram;

to replenish;

to satisfy (as in hunger);

to fill in (a form);

to write;

to complete.

To fillto stuffto cram

Usage highlights

Fill out a formFill in the blanksFill with soilFill a vacancyReplenish troopsFill one's stomach

Synonyms

  • 塞— to stuff; to block
  • 补— to mend; to repair; to supplement
  • 充— to fill; to charge; to serve as

Antonyms

  • 挖— to dig; to excavate
  • 空— empty; hollow
  • 缺— to lack; to be short of

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Please fill out this form (填表).
  • They filled the hole with soil (填土).
  • She is filling in the blanks on the worksheet (填空).
  • The company needs to fill the vacant position (填缺).

Collocations

  • Fill out a form(填表)
  • Fill in the blanks(填空)
  • Fill with soil(填土)
  • Fill a vacancy(填缺)
  • Replenish troops(填兵)
  • Fill one's stomach(填肚子)

Idioms

  • Filling the sea with stones(精卫填海)
  • Filling the sky and covering the earth(填天塞地)
  • Filling the stomach with anger(义愤填膺)
  • Filling the streets and blocking the lanes(填街塞巷)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 填 appears in the myth 'Jingwei Fills the Sea' (精卫填海), symbolizing perseverance and determination against overwhelming odds.
  • In traditional Chinese culture, 'filling' can symbolize completion, satisfaction, or the act of making something whole.
  • The radical 土 (earth/soil) reflects the original meaning related to filling with earth or soil.

FAQ