贪

貪

tān

今 + 贝

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

tān (adjective) greedy; covetous

tān (verb) to covet; to desire excessively

tān (adjective) corrupt

Etymology

Depicts a mouth (今) facing a shell (贝). In ancient China, shells were used as currency. 今 also represents the sound. Simplified form of 貪.

Semantic: 贝 Phonetic: 今

About

贪, the simplified form of 貪, combines 贝 (a simplification of 貝, cowrie shells used as money) and 今, which hints at the pronunciation and also suggests a mouth facing a shell. This structure points to an original meaning of excessive desire for wealth. Over time, the sense broadened to any insatiable craving, for food, power, fame, or petty gains, reflecting a state of discontent and relentless pursuit of more.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

贪吃是不好的。

Tānchī shì bù hǎo de.

Being gluttonous is not good.

他总是贪图享受。

Tā zǒngshì tāntú xiǎngshòu.

He always seeks enjoyment.

贪污是犯罪行为。

Tānwū shì fànzuì xíngwéi.

Corruption is criminal behavior.

他因为贪婪而失败。

Tā yīnwèi tānlán ér shībài.

He failed because of greed.

他贪小便宜吃了亏。

Tā tān xiǎo piányi chī le kuī.

He suffered a loss because he was greedy for small gains.

政府严厉打击贪污腐败。

Zhèngfǔ yánlì dǎjī tānwū fǔbài.

The government severely cracks down on corruption.

如果一个人太贪心，就会失去朋友。

Rúguǒ yīgè rén tài tānxīn, jiù huì shīqù péngyǒu.

If a person is too greedy, they will lose friends.

贪婪的欲望驱使他不择手段地追求财富。

Tānlán de yùwàng qūshǐ tā bùzéshǒuduàn de zhuīqiú cáifù.

Greedy desires drive him to pursue wealth by any means necessary.

Related Characters

Component: 今

Component: 贝

贪