颤

顫

chàn

亶 + 页

Definitions

chàn (verb) to tremble; to shiver; to shake; to vibrate

Etymology phono-semantic

leaf

Semantic: 页 Phonetic: 亶

About

颤 (chàn) is a phono-semantic compound meaning to tremble, quiver, or shiver. Its traditional form, 顫, uses the semantic radical 頁 (yè, head/page) on the right, suggesting involuntary movement of the head or body, with the phonetic component 亶 (dǎn) on the left. The simplified form 颤 retains the same phonetic element 亶, but pairs it with the simplified radical 页. The character describes rapid, small shaking motions caused by factors such as cold, fear, or excitement.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的手在颤抖。

Tā de shǒu zài chàndǒu.

His hand is trembling.

她声音颤抖地说话。

Tā shēngyīn chàndǒu de shuōhuà.

She spoke with a trembling voice.

寒冷让树枝颤动。

Hánlěng ràng shùzhī chàndòng.

The cold makes the branches quiver.

他激动得声音发颤。

Tā jīdòng de shēngyīn fā chàn.

He was so excited that his voice trembled.

音乐中的颤音很动听。

Yīnyuè zhōng de chànyīn hěn dòngtīng.

The vibrato in the music is very pleasant.

恐惧使他全身颤抖。

Kǒngjù shǐ tā quánshēn chàndǒu.

Fear made his whole body tremble.

听到消息后，她不禁颤栗。

Tīng dào xiāoxi hòu, tā bùjīn chànlì.

After hearing the news, she couldn't help but shudder.

经济不稳定导致市场颤抖。

Jīngjì bù wěndìng dǎozhì shìchǎng chàndǒu.

Economic instability causes the market to tremble.

Related Characters

Component: 亶

Component: 页

颤