Definitions

shān (verb) to fan; to slap (on the face)
shàn (noun) fan
shàn (noun) door panel; window panel

Etymology

A feathered  fan in the shape of a folding door 

About

The character "扇" is structurally composed of the components "户" meaning door and "羽" meaning feathers or wings, a combination that conveyed the idea of a door that moves like wings or a feathered object used for airflow, with its early meanings including door leaves or window shutters that swing open. This later extended to refer to handheld fans often made from feathers or other materials designed to create a breeze, and over time the meaning shifted to emphasize both the object used for fanning and the action of fanning itself, as seen in verbs like "扇风", while retaining its nominal sense for various types of fans.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我有一把漂亮的子。

Wǒ yǒu yī bǎ piàoliang de shànzi.

I have a beautiful fan.

子。

Tā shānle shān shànzi.

He fanned the fan.

动的风很凉快。

Shànzi shāndòng de fēng hěn liángkuai.

The wind fanned by the fan is very cool.

形是一种几何图形。

Shànxíng shì yī zhǒng jǐhé túxíng.

A sector is a type of geometric shape.

他用子轻轻地着蜡烛。

Tā yòng shànzi qīngqīng de shānzhe làzhú.

He gently fans the candle with a fan.

叶的转动带来了微风。

Shànyè de zhuàndòng dàiláile wēifēng.

The rotation of the fan blades brings a breeze.

动翅膀,飞向了天空。

Tā shāndòng chìbǎng, fēi xiàngle tiānkōng.

She flapped her wings and flew into the sky.

这场演讲起了群众的热情。

Zhè chǎng yǎnjiǎng shān qǐle qúnzhòng de rèqíng.

This speech ignited the passion of the crowd.