Definitions

zhān felt (fabric)
zhān variant of 氈|毡[zhān]

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character for felt, traditionally written as "氈", is structured with the semantic component "毛" indicating hair or fur, and the phonetic element "亶" providing its sound, a construction that highlights its association with compressed animal fibers. In its development, the phonetic part was later replaced by "占", yielding the simplified form "毡", which maintains the "毛" radical to uphold the material connection while adopting a more straightforward phonetic guide. Throughout this graphical transition, the character's core meaning has persistently referred to the durable fabric made from matted wool, with its etymology firmly anchored in the tangible origin of the product rather than shifting in conceptual scope.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我买了一条子。

Wǒ mǎi le yī tiáo zhānzi.

I bought a felt blanket.

这块子很柔软。

Zhè kuài zhānzi hěn róuruǎn.

This piece of felt is very soft.

房里我们喝茶。

Zài zhānfáng lǐ wǒmen hē chá.

In the yurt, we drink tea.

他戴着帽去爬山。

Tā dàizhe zhānmào qù pá shān.

He wears a felt hat to go mountain climbing.

靴保暖但有点重。

Zhānxuē bǎonuǎn dàn yǒudiǎn zhòng.

Felt boots are warm but a bit heavy.

这张垫比那张厚。

Zhè zhāng zhāndiàn bǐ nà zhāng hòu.

This felt pad is thicker than that one.

因为天气冷,他铺了子。

Yīnwèi tiānqì lěng, tā pū le zhānzi.

Because the weather is cold, he laid out a felt mat.

牧民在房外晾晒羊毛

Mùmín zài zhānfáng wài liàngshài yángmáo zhān.

The herder is airing the wool felt outside the yurt.