窜 (cuàn) - To flee, escape & to run away

窜Tone 4

cuàn ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

窜 · cuàn

To flee, escape;

to run away;

to change or alter (text);

to rush about;

to be exiled or banished.

To flee, escapeto run awayto change or alter (text)

Usage highlights

Escape and fleeRun away in panicScurry and hideDash aboutAlter textBreak through and flee

Synonyms

  • 逃— to escape, flee
  • 跑— to run away
  • 遁— to flee, escape

Antonyms

  • 追— to chase, pursue
  • 捕— to catch, capture
  • 守— to guard, defend

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The thief fled the scene (逃窜).
  • The mouse scurried into its hole (窜入).
  • He was exiled to a remote area (流窜).
  • The edited text was altered (窜改).

Collocations

  • Escape and flee(逃窜)
  • Run away in panic(流窜)
  • Scurry and hide(窜逃)
  • Dash about(乱窜)
  • Alter text(窜改)
  • Break through and flee(窜出)

Idioms

  • Fleeing in all directions(抱头鼠窜)
  • Rushing about recklessly(东奔西窜)
  • Scattering like rats(鼠窜狼奔)
  • Fleeing helter-skelter(狼奔豕窜)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used in contexts of banishment or exile, especially for political dissidents.
  • Often appears in descriptions of chaotic retreats or animal-like flight in classical literature.
  • The character's structure with 穴 (cave) suggests hiding or escaping through narrow spaces.

FAQ