填

• Pinyin: tián
• Hanzi breakdown: 填 = 土 (earth/soil radical) + 真 (genuine, phonetic component)

Meaning

To fill in; to complete; to write in. To add content to a blank space, form, or gap.

Commonly used when completing official forms, applications, or questionnaires by writing in required information. Also used in the physical sense of filling a hole or space with material such as earth or sand. In academic contexts, often used in the phrase 填空 (fill in the blank).

Examples

1. 请在这张表格上填上您的姓名和联系地址。 Please fill in your name and contact address on this form.
2. 工人们用沙土把路上的坑填平了。 The workers filled the holes in the road level with sand and soil.
3. 考试最后有几道题需要填写正确答案。 There are several questions at the end of the exam where you need to fill in the correct answer.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, education, official

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 申请表要认真填，不能有空白处。(Fill out the application form carefully; there should be no blank spaces.)
• 请把缺少的信息填在空白处。(Please fill in the missing information in the blank space.)

Don't Say

• 我写了表格。(While 写 means 'write,' it doesn't convey filling in a form — use 填 or 填写 for official documents.)

Origin & History

Compound of 土 (earth/soil) as the semantic component and 真 (genuine/true) as the phonetic component.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal