沾Tone 1

zhān ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 氵

沾 · zhān

to moisten;

to be stained with;

to touch;

to benefit from;

to be infected with.

to moistento be stained withto touch

Usage highlights

to be stained withto benefit fromto be infected withto be complacentto be wet with dewto touch slightly

Synonyms

染— to dye; to contract (a disease)
湿— wet; moist
润— moist; lubricate

Antonyms

干— dry
脱— to shed; to remove
离— to leave; to separate

Usage & contexts

Examples

The clothes are wet with dew (沾了露水).
He benefited from his father's connections (沾了父亲的光).
Don't touch the wet paint (别沾湿油漆).
The child got mud on his hands (孩子手上沾了泥).

Collocations

to be stained with(沾染)
to benefit from(沾光)
to be infected with(沾染)
to be complacent(沾沾自喜)
to be wet with dew(沾露水)
to touch slightly(沾边)

Idioms

Complacent and self-satisfied(沾沾自喜)
Not even remotely related(一点也不沾边)
To benefit from association(沾亲带故)

Cultural background

Originally depicted water moistening an object, later extended to mean 'to benefit from' or 'to be infected with'.
In naming, it can imply receiving blessings or benefits, but also carries potential negative connotations of contamination or undue advantage.

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