Definitions

zhàn to dip in (ink, sauce etc)

Etymology

To perform a rite  again (like a perennial )

About

The character "蘸" presents a structural composition that visually suggests its meaning, combining the grass radical "艹" with "酉" representing wine or liquid and the fire radical "灬" at its base, which together imply the process of dipping items into a prepared substance. Etymologically, it appeared in the later stages of Chinese character development, specifically denoting the action of immersing or soaking, particularly in culinary practices where food is dipped into sauces or condiments. Its semantic range has remained largely consistent over centuries, extending from literal physical immersion to analogous uses in activities such as calligraphy, where brushes are dipped in ink, without undergoing significant shifts in its fundamental meaning.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

了点酱油。

Wǒ zhàn le diǎn jiàngyóu.

I dipped some soy sauce.

面包牛奶很好吃。

Miànbāo zhàn niúnǎi hěn hǎochī.

Bread dipped in milk is very tasty.

他喜欢醋吃饺子。

Tā xǐhuan zhàn cù chī jiǎozi.

He likes to eat dumplings dipped in vinegar.

她用毛笔墨写字。

Tā yòng máobǐ zhàn mò xiě zì.

She uses a brush dipped in ink to write characters.

吃火锅时,我们常芝麻酱。

Chī huǒguō shí, wǒmen cháng zhàn zhīmajiàng.

When eating hot pot, we often dip in sesame sauce.

这幅画是用了颜料的笔画成的。

Zhè fú huà shì yòng zhàn le yánliào de bǐ huà chéng de.

This painting was done with a brush dipped in pigment.

厨师小心地糖浆装饰蛋糕。

Chúshī xiǎoxīn de zhàn tángjiāng zhuāngshì dàngāo.

The chef carefully dips syrup to decorate the cake.

在传统书法中,墨的技巧很重要。

Zài chuántǒng shūfǎ zhōng, zhàn mò de jìqiǎo hěn zhòngyào.

In traditional calligraphy, the technique of dipping ink is very important.