Meaning of 伞
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- umbrella
- parasol
Measure word: 把
- damask silk
- variant of 傘|伞[san3]
How to use 伞
伞 is the everyday word for umbrella or parasol, and it is counted with 把 (bǎ). In speech people often say 雨伞 (yǔsǎn) for a rain umbrella. Example: 外面下雨了，带把伞吧。(Wàimiàn xià yǔ le, dài bǎ sǎn ba.) It's raining outside, take an umbrella.
伞 (sǎn) looks like an open umbrella: the top 人 shape is the canopy, the two dots underneath are the ribs, and the long vertical line through 十 is the handle. Picture rain sliding off that roof.
Common mistake: Learners often use the wrong measure word, saying 一个伞 instead of 一把伞 (yì bǎ sǎn). Also keep the third tone sǎn distinct from 三 (sān, three) and 散 (sàn, to scatter).
伞 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
伞 sǎn · umbrella · 6 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 伞.
Questions about 伞
What does 伞 mean?
伞 (sǎn) means "umbrella; parasol" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 伞?
伞 is made of 1 character: 伞 (6 strokes). That is 6 strokes in total.
Is 伞 an HSK word?
Yes. 伞 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 伞 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 伞 is written 傘.
What does 保护伞 mean figuratively?
Literally it is a protective umbrella, but in news and everyday talk it often means a powerful person who shields others, especially corrupt officials protecting wrongdoers. It usually carries a negative tone.
Why is 伞 used in words about parachutes?
A parachute opens like an umbrella, so Chinese builds on 伞: 降落伞 (jiàngluòsǎn) is a parachute, 跳伞 (tiàosǎn) means to parachute, and 伞兵 (sǎnbīng) is a paratrooper.