Meaning and Usage
The character 铲 (chǎn) primarily refers to a shovel or spade, a tool used for digging, lifting, and moving bulk materials such as soil, snow, or gravel. It is a common noun in everyday contexts involving manual labor or gardening.
Common Collocations
- 铲子 (chǎnzi): shovel, the most frequent compound.
- 铲雪 (chǎn xuě): to shovel snow.
- 铲土 (chǎn tǔ): to dig or move soil.
Usage Notes
铲 is often used with the suffix 子 (zi) to form 铲子, which is the standard word for 'shovel.' When used as a verb, it means to shovel or to dig with a shovel. It can also mean to level off or flatten ground by shoveling.
Common Confusions
Do not confuse 铲 with 锄 (chú), which means hoe, a different gardening tool. 铲 specifically refers to a shovel-like tool.
Register and Tone
This word is neutral and commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in contexts related to construction, gardening, or snow removal.