Definitions

shàn (verb) to be good at; to excel in
shàn (verb) to act without authority; to usurp
shàn (verb) to monopolize

Etymology phono-semantic

hand

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "擅" is etymologically formed from the hand radical, indicating manual action or control, combined with the component "亶", which originally provided phonetic guidance but also carried connotations of exclusivity or concentrated purpose. Its early usage primarily denoted the act of monopolizing authority or making arbitrary decisions without permission, emphasizing a sense of unilateral command. Over time, this notion of exclusive control naturally evolved to express a high degree of skill or mastery in a particular area, where proficiency implies a similar form of dedicated possession over a craft or knowledge. Consequently, while the character still conveys presumptuous action in contexts such as "擅自", it equally signifies expertise in combinations like "擅长", demonstrating a semantic expansion from unauthorized appropriation to recognized adeptness.

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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

长画画。

Tā shàncháng huà huà.

He is good at drawing.

请不要自离开教室。

Qǐng bùyào shànzì líkāi jiàoshì.

Please do not leave the classroom without permission.

自使用了公司的电脑。

Tā shànzì shǐyòngle gōngsī de diànnǎo.

He used the company's computer without authorization.

这个部门于处理客户投诉。

Zhège bùmén shàn yú chǔlǐ kèhù tóusù.

This department is adept at handling customer complaints.

任何队员不得自更改比赛策略。

Rènhé duìyuán bùdé shànzì gēnggǎi bǐsài cèlüè.

No team member is allowed to change the competition strategy without permission.

她因为自改动文件受到了批评。

Tā yīnwèi shànzì gǎidòng wénjiàn shòudàole pīpíng.

She was criticized for altering the document without permission.

这种植物于在干旱环境中生存。

Zhè zhǒng zhíwù shàn yú zài gānhàn huánjìng zhōng shēngcún.

This type of plant is good at surviving in arid environments.

该行为已构成用他人名义的侵权行为。

Gāi xíngwéi yǐ gòuchéng shànyòng tārén míngyì de qīnquán xíngwéi.

This act constitutes an infringement of unauthorized use of another person's name.