Definitions

zǎn (verb) to collect; to accumulate; to save
cuán (verb) to bring together

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The traditional character 攢 is composed of the hand radical 扌 and the phonetic component 贊, and its core meaning has long been to accumulate or collect things through concerted effort, often implying a gathering or amassing by a group. The simplified form 攒 retains the hand radical but replaces the complex 贊 with the simplified 赞, maintaining the same phonetic function. While retaining the original sense of accumulation, such as gathering supplies or assembling parts, the character's usage expanded in colloquial language to specifically denote the act of saving money bit by bit, reflecting a shift from a general collective action to a more personal and gradual process of accumulation.

Example Sentences Hide

了很多钱。

Wǒ zǎnle hěn duō qián.

I saved up a lot of money.

他正在钱买车。

Tā zhèngzài zǎn qián mǎi chē.

He is saving money to buy a car.

了很多邮票。

Tā zǎnle hěn duō yóupiào.

She has collected many stamps.

为了旅行我了三个月工资。

Wèile lǚxíng wǒ zǎnle sān gè yuè gōngzī.

For the trip, I saved three months' salary.

大家在一起讨论问题。

Dàjiā cuán zài yīqǐ tǎolùn wèntí.

Everyone gathered together to discuss the problem.

虽然收入不高但他还是下了一笔钱。

Suīrán shōurù bù gāo dàn tā háishì zǎn xiàle yī bǐ qián.

Although his income is not high, he still managed to save a sum of money.

这台机器是由多个零件成的。

Zhè tái jīqì shì yóu duō gè língjiàn cuán chéng de.

This machine is assembled from multiple parts.

通过不断投资他下了可观的财富。

Tōngguò bùduàn tóuzī tā zǎn xiàle kěguān de cáifù.

Through continuous investment, he accumulated considerable wealth.