扇

• Pinyin: shān
• Hanzi breakdown: 扇 = 户 (door) + 羽 (feather)

Meaning

To fan; to wave (a fan or hand) to create airflow.

As a verb (shān), describes the action of fanning to create a breeze. Can be done with a fan, hand, or any flat object. Also used colloquially for slapping someone's face. The action implies repeated waving motion.

Examples

1. 她一边看书一边扇着扇子，悠闲自得。 She read while fanning herself, looking relaxed and content.
2. 天太热了，他不停地用手扇风。 It was too hot, and he kept fanning himself with his hand.
3. 妈妈用蒲扇给熟睡的孩子扇着凉风。 Mom used a palm-leaf fan to fan cool air over the sleeping child.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, hot weather

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 帮我扇扇风好吗？(Could you fan me a bit?)
• 他热得直扇扇子。(He was so hot he kept fanning himself.)

Don't Say

• 我扇了空调 — 扇 is manual fanning; for turning on AC, use 开空调

Origin & History

The character contains 户 (door) and 羽 (feather), evoking the image of feather fans or door-like panels waving back and forth.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal