贪 tān greedy
greedy; covetous; corrupt
How to remember 贪: 今 now + 贝 sea shell = greedy. Right now the boy wants every sea shell on the beach for himself, and his sister calls him greedy and mean.
Component breakdown
贪 = 今 now + 贝 sea shell
- 今 now
- 𠆢 tent
- 丶 a drop
- 乛 cap
- 贝 sea shell
Right now the boy wants every sea shell on the beach for himself, and his sister calls him greedy and mean.
How it is used
- Greedy/to crave - 贪心 (tānxīn) greedy, 贪婪 (tānlán) avaricious, 贪吃 (tānchī) gluttonous, 贪玩 (tānwán) to be too fond of play.
- 贪污 (tānwū) means to embezzle/be corrupt; 贪官 (tānguān) a corrupt official; 贪小便宜 (tān xiǎo piányi) to grasp at petty gains; 贪生怕死 (tānshēng-pàsǐ) to cling to life and fear death.