掺

• Pinyin: chān
• Hanzi breakdown: 掺 = 扌(hand) + 参 (phonetic/semantic)

Meaning

To mix in; to blend; to adulterate. To add one substance to another, often suggesting dilution or contamination.

Describes the act of mixing an additional substance into something — can be neutral (掺水泥, mix cement) but often implies adulteration or contamination (掺假, adulterate/fake). Commonly used in food safety, chemistry, and materials contexts.

Examples

1. 这款产品被检测出掺有超标的添加剂成分，已被责令下架。 This product was found on testing to contain excessive additive ingredients and has been ordered to be removed from shelves.
2. 他在回忆录中掺入了大量虚构的情节，令读者难以分辨真假。 He mixed a large number of fictional elements into his memoir, making it hard for readers to distinguish fact from fiction.
3. 为了降低成本，一些不良商家在纯棉产品中掺入了化纤成分，以次充好。 To cut costs, some unscrupulous vendors blend synthetic fibres into pure cotton products, passing off inferior goods as genuine.

Usage Guide

Context: food safety, materials, writing, construction, commerce

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 混凝土施工时必须按比例掺入适量的外加剂，以提高耐久性。(When working with concrete, the appropriate proportion of admixtures must be blended in to improve durability.)
• 这批蜂蜜经检测发现掺有糖浆，属于虚假标注。(This batch of honey was found on testing to contain added syrup — a case of false labelling.)

Don't Say

• 他掺进了那个团队。(掺 is used for mixing substances, not joining a team; use 加入 or 融入)

Origin & History

掺 = 扌(hand) + 参 (to participate/blend — phonetic and semantic). The hand mixes things together.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal