贪 tān greedy
greedy; covetous; corrupt
怎么记住“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.
部件结构
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
贪 = 今 now + 贝 sea shell
- 今 now meaning + sound
- 𠆢 roof shape
- 丶 dot
- 乛 cap
- 贝 sea shell meaning
Right now the boy wants every sea shell on the beach for himself, and his sister calls him greedy and mean.
How it came to be
The shell, standing for money, gives the meaning; the top part, an open mouth, gives the sound and adds its sense.
用法
- 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.