添

tiān
忝 + 氵
HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

tiān (verb) to add; to increase; to replenish

Etymology phono-semantic

water

Semantic: 氵 Phonetic: 忝

About

添 is a phono-semantic compound formed from the water radical 氵 and the phonetic element 忝. Originally, the character meant the physical act of adding water or liquid. This meaning then extended beyond liquids to include adding or increasing anything, physical items, abstract ideas, amounts, or degrees. Today, it is used in a variety of contexts to express an increase, without any connection to its original water-related sense.

Example Sentences Hide

请给我添点水。

Qǐng gěi wǒ tiān diǎn shuǐ.

Please add some water for me.

他添了一件新衣服。

Tā tiān le yī jiàn xīn yīfu.

He added a new piece of clothing.

妈妈在汤里添了盐。

Māma zài tāng lǐ tiān le yán.

Mom added salt to the soup.

这个软件需要添加新功能。

Zhège ruǎnjiàn xūyào tiānjiā xīn gōngnéng.

This software needs to add new features.

他的回答为故事增添了趣味。

Tā de huídá wèi gùshi zēngtiān le qùwèi.

His answer added interest to the story.

公司计划添置一批办公设备。

Gōngsī jìhuà tiānzhì yī pī bàngōng shèbèi.

The company plans to acquire a batch of office equipment.

不要给别人添不必要的麻烦。

Búyào gěi biérén tiān bù bìyào de máfan.

Don't cause unnecessary trouble for others.

随着人口增长，城市需要增添更多公共服务。

Suízhe rénkǒu zēngzhǎng, chéngshì xūyào zēngtiān gèng duō gōnggòng fúwù.

With population growth, the city needs to add more public services.

Related Characters

Component: 忝

舔 掭 菾

Component: 氵

法 没 海 活 治 清 济 流 深 满 消 注 派 河

Example Words

增添 添加 添加剂 添堵 加添 如虎添翼 平添 添丁 添乱 添加物 添油加醋 添砖加瓦 添置 添补 画蛇添足 锦上添花