Definitions

cǎn (adjective) miserable; wretched
cǎn (adjective) cruel; inhuman
cǎn (adjective) disastrous; tragic
cǎn (adjective) dim; gloomy

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "惨", conveying meanings such as miserable or cruel, evolved from its traditional form "慘", which structurally integrates the heart radical "忄" to anchor its semantic field in emotional experience, paired with the phonetic component "參" that primarily indicates sound but also carries connotations of complexity or intensity. Over time, its usage has consistently referenced states of extreme distress, brutality, or sorrow, reflecting a stable etymological link between the heart radical and expressions of human suffering. The simplified form "惨" emerged through a reduction of the phonetic element to "参", streamlining the character while preserving both its auditory cue and its fundamental connection to affective and grievous circumstances.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这次事故很

Zhè cì shìgù hěn cǎn.

This accident was very tragic.

他丢了钱包,真

Tā diū le qiánbāo, zhēn cǎn.

He lost his wallet; that's really unfortunate.

她的经历十分悲

Tā de jīnglì shífēn bēicǎn.

Her experience was extremely miserable.

战争的状令人心痛。

Zhànzhēng de cǎnzhuàng lìng rén xīntòng.

The horrors of war are heartbreaking.

灾后的景象不忍睹。

Zāi hòu de jǐngxiàng cǎn bù rěn dǔ.

The scene after the disaster was too horrible to look at.

这场比赛我们输得太了。

Zhè chǎng bǐsài wǒmen shū dé tài cǎn le.

We lost this match too badly.

那段痛的历史不能被忘记。

Nà duàn cǎntòng de lìshǐ bù néng bèi wàngjì.

That painful history must not be forgotten.

经济衰退导致公司业绩淡。

Jīngjì shuāituì dǎozhì gōngsī yèjì cǎndàn.

The economic recession led to dismal company performance.