Definitions

shǎn (verb) to dodge; to duck out of the way
shǎn (noun) flash; lightning; spark
shǎn (verb) to flash; to glint
shǎn (verb) to sprain; to pull (a muscle)

Etymology

Simplified form of . Depicts a person () peeking through the space in the middle of a door (). Based on the original meaning "peek". The meaning later shifted to "dodge" and "flash".

About

闪, the simplified form of 閃, combines the radical 门 (door) with the component 人 (person) inside. This original image of a person appearing in a doorway suggests a brief, sudden action. From this physical depiction, the meaning broadened to encompass any fleeting movement or rapid appearance and disappearance. Thus, it describes a quick flash of light, like lightning, as well as the physical act of dodging or evading to avoid something. The structure visually conveys the core ideas of suddenness, brief visibility, and swift evasion.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

电照亮了夜空。

Shǎndiàn zhàoliàng le yèkōng.

Lightning illuminated the night sky.

星星在烁。

Xīngxing zài shǎnshuò.

The stars are twinkling.

他迅速开了。

Tā xùnsù shǎnkāi le.

He quickly dodged.

她的眼睛耀着光芒。

Tā de yǎnjīng shǎnyào zhe guāngmáng.

Her eyes are shining with light.

一个想法突然现。

Yī gè xiǎngfǎ tūrán shǎnxiàn.

An idea suddenly flashed.

他试图躲对方的攻击。

Tā shìtú shǎnduǒ duìfāng de gōngjī.

He tried to dodge the opponent's attack.

光灯照亮了整个房间。

Shǎnguāngdēng zhàoliàng le zhěnggè fángjiān.

The flashlight illuminated the entire room.

那颗宝石在灯光下亮。

Nà kē bǎoshí zài dēngguāng xià shǎnliàng.

That gemstone is shiny under the light.