参 cān take part
consult; to take part
How to remember 参: 厶 cocoon + 大 big + 彡 hairs = take part. The student carries a strange cocoon to a big-name professor with wild grey hairs, who invites her to take part in his research.
Component breakdown
参 = 厶 cocoon + 大 big + 彡 hairs
- 厶 cocoon
- 大 big
- 彡 hairs
The student carries a strange cocoon to a big-name professor with wild grey hairs, who invites her to take part in his research.
How it came to be
Three small circles over a kneeling figure: the three stars of Orion's belt, drawn above somebody looking up at them. The sense of joining in came later, from the three being counted together.
How it is used
- As cān means "to take part / consult." 参加 (cānjiā) join/attend, 参观 (cānguān) to visit (a place, tour), 参与 (cānyù) to participate in.
- 参观 vs 访问: 参观 is for touring places/exhibitions; 访问 (fǎngwèn) is for visiting people/officially. Don't 参观 a friend.
- 参考 (cānkǎo) = to consult/refer to (reference material). Also read shēn in 人参 (rénshēn) ginseng - a different word entirely.
Characters built with 参
Words with 参
- 参加cānjiāparticipateHSK 3
- 参观cānguānto visit (a place, such as a tourist spot)HSK 4
- 参赛cānsàito competeHSK 4
- 参与cānyùto participate (in something)HSK 5
- 参考cānkǎoconsultationHSK 5
- 参展cānzhǎnto exhibit at or take part in a trade show etcHSK 6
- 参照cānzhàoto consult a referenceHSK 7
- 参见cānjiànto refer toHSK 7
- 参谋cānmóustaff officerHSK 8
Example sentences
- 我参加了比赛。 Wǒ cānjiāle bǐsài.I took part in the competition.
- 我们都参加了这次会议。 Wǒmen dōu cānjiāle zhè cì huìyì.We all attended the conference.
- 她被邀请参加派对。 Tā bèi yāoqǐng cānjiā pàiduì.She was invited to a party.
- 向导带领我们参观灯塔。 Xiàngdǎo dàilǐng wǒmen cānguān dēngtǎ.The guide led us on a tour of the lighthouse.