兼 jiān both

源How it came to be

A hand gripping two stalks of grain, both in the same fist. Holding two at once, not one and then the other, is exactly the sense of doing both.

用How it is used

• Means to hold/do two things at once, concurrently - 兼职 (jiānzhí) a part-time/second job; 兼任 (jiānrèn) hold a concurrent post.
• Signals doubling-up: 兼顾 (jiāngù) attend to both, 兼容 (jiānróng) compatible (holding both), 德才兼备 (décái-jiānbèi) having both virtue and talent.

字Characters built with 兼

• 歉 apology
• 赚 earn
• 嫌 to hate
• 谦 humble
• 廉 upright

词Words with 兼

• 兼职jiānzhíto hold concurrent postsHSK 6
• 兼任jiānrènto hold a concurrent postHSK 8
• 兼容jiānróngcompatibleHSK 8
• 兼顾jiāngùto handle two or more responsibilities at the same timeHSK 8
• 德才兼备décái-jiānbèipossessing both integrity and talentHSK 8