Usage of 填 (tián)
The character 填 primarily means "to fill" or "to fill in." It is commonly used when talking about filling physical spaces, such as holes or gaps, as well as filling out forms or documents.
Common contexts
- Filling physical spaces: 填坑 (fill a hole), 填空 (fill a blank)
- Filling out forms: 填表格 (fill out a form), 填写信息 (fill in information)
Collocations and patterns
- 填写 + 表格/申请 (fill out + form/application): used in administrative or official contexts.
- 填满 + 容器/空间 (fill up + container/space): emphasizes completely filling something.
Notes
When using 填 for filling out forms, it often pairs with 写 (write) as 填写, which is a common verb for "to fill in" documents. For physical filling, 填 is straightforward and often followed by the object being filled.
Avoid confusing 填 with 装 (zhuāng), which can also mean "to fill" but often implies packing or loading rather than filling gaps or blanks.