膻 (shān) - rancid & the smell of mutton

膻Tone 1

shān ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

姗善

膻 · shān

rancid;

the smell of mutton;

(in Chinese medicine) refers to the pericardium or chest region.

rancidthe smell of mutton(in Chinese medicine) refers to the pericardium or

Usage highlights

mutton smellgamy odorpericardium cavityremove mutton smellstrong mutton odorfishy and gamy

Synonyms

  • 腥— fishy smell
  • 臊— urinous smell (as of pork)

Antonyms

  • 香— fragrant; aromatic
  • 清新— fresh; clean (of air/smell)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The smell of mutton is strong (羊肉膻味).
  • Some people dislike the gamy odor (膻气).
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, it relates to the pericardium (膻中).
  • This lamb has a strong smell (这只羊很膻).

Collocations

  • mutton smell(羊膻味)
  • gamy odor(膻气)
  • pericardium cavity(膻中)
  • remove mutton smell(去膻)
  • strong mutton odor(膻味重)
  • fishy and gamy(腥膻)

Idioms

  • Like ants swarming to mutton(如蚁附膻)
  • Avoiding the fishy and gamy(不避腥膻)
  • The smell of mutton lingers(膻腥未除)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culinary culture, '膻' often carries a negative connotation, describing the strong, distinctive odor of mutton or goat meat that some find unpleasant.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, '膻中' is an important acupoint located in the center of the chest, believed to be the gathering place of vital energy (气).
  • The character appears in idioms that metaphorically describe undesirable attraction or following, such as '如蚁附膻' (like ants swarming to mutton), implying blind pursuit of something base or vulgar.

FAQ