摊

• Pinyin: tān
• Hanzi breakdown: 摊 = 扌(hand radical) + 难 (phonetic, spread out)

Meaning

To spread out; to lay flat; a stall or booth. As a measure word, a pool or puddle.

Describes spreading things flat, sharing costs or responsibilities, or refers to small vendor stalls. As a measure word, counts flat spreads like pools of liquid.

Examples

1. 她把地图摊在桌子上研究路线。 She spread the map out on the table to study the route.
2. 费用由大家平均分摊。 Everyone will split the cost evenly.
3. 路边的小摊上卖着各种小吃。 The small street stalls sell all kinds of snacks.

Usage Guide

Context: physical actions, cost sharing, vendors

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 地上有一摊水，小心滑倒。(There is a pool of water on the ground, be careful not to slip.)
• 她在夜市摆了个小摊卖饰品。(She set up a small stall at the night market to sell accessories.)

Don't Say

• 我摊了思想 — 摊 is for physical spreading or sharing; use 展开 for developing thoughts

Origin & History

摊 = 扌(hand) + 难 (difficult, phonetic)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal