甘 (gān) - Sweet & pleasant

甘Tone 1

gān ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 甘

枫惠

甘 · gān

Sweet;

pleasant;

willing;

content;

Gansu province (abbreviation);

a surname.

Sweetpleasantwilling

Usage highlights

SweetWillingContentGansu provinceSweet dewSweet potato

Synonyms

  • 甜— sweet
  • 愿— willing
  • 乐— happy, content

Antonyms

  • 苦— bitter
  • 涩— astringent, harsh
  • 辛— pungent, spicy

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This fruit is very sweet (甘甜).
  • I am willing to help (甘愿).
  • He is content with his life (甘于).
  • Gansu province (甘肃) is in northwest China.

Collocations

  • Sweet(甘甜)
  • Willing(甘愿)
  • Content(甘于)
  • Gansu province(甘肃)
  • Sweet dew(甘露)
  • Sweet potato(甘薯)

Idioms

  • Bitter experience may be a blessing in disguise(苦尽甘来)
  • Content with poverty and devoted to things spiritual(甘贫乐道)
  • Willing to be a stepping stone(甘为人梯)
  • As sweet as honey(甘之如饴)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a mouth with something sweet inside, representing sweetness and pleasure.
  • In Chinese medicine, 甘草 (licorice root) is considered a harmonizing herb that sweetens other formulas.
  • The character conveys positive meanings of contentment, willingness, and pleasant experiences.

FAQ