感 (gǎn) - To feel & to sense

感Tone 3

gǎn ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

感 · gǎn

To feel;

to sense;

to perceive;

to be affected by;

emotion;

feeling;

gratitude;

to move emotionally.

To feelto senseto perceive

Usage highlights

FeelEmotionThankTouch/move emotionallyPerceiveSensitive

Synonyms

  • 觉— to perceive, to feel
  • 受— to receive, to experience
  • 情— emotion, feeling

Antonyms

  • 漠— indifferent, unconcerned
  • 冷— cold, unfeeling

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I feel very happy (感到很开心).
  • This movie is very moving (这部电影很感人).
  • Thank you for your help (感谢你的帮助).
  • She is very sensitive (她很敏感).

Collocations

  • Feel(感觉)
  • Emotion(感情)
  • Thank(感谢)
  • Touch/move emotionally(感动)
  • Perceive(感知)
  • Sensitive(敏感)

Idioms

  • Moved to tears(感激涕零)
  • Deeply grateful(感恩戴德)
  • Touched to the heart(感同身受)
  • Moved by circumstances(触景生情)
  • Heartfelt gratitude(感铭心切)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian thought, 感 relates to moral sensibility and empathy, key to harmonious relationships.
  • The character combines 心 (heart/mind) and 咸 (all), suggesting a universal capacity for feeling.
  • Used extensively in Buddhist contexts for sensory perception and mental impressions (vijñāna).

FAQ