How to Write 谄 (chǎn) — Meaning “To flatter; to fawn”

Imagine a person (the right side 臽 looks like a kneeling figure) bowing very low while speaking (讠 on the left) to flatter someone. The pinyin chǎn sounds like 'chant', so picture someone chanting sweet words while bowing down. This visual of a kneeling speaker helps link the shape and meaning.

The left radical 讠 should be narrow and take up only about one-third of the character's width. On the right side, the top part (臽) begins with a downward-left stroke (撇) and a horizontal hook (横撇)—do not confuse it with 刀 (knife). The bottom part of 臽 looks like a square container; make sure to write the final horizontal stroke fully to close the shape.

谄 (chǎn) means to flatter and has the right side 臽 (a kneeling figure). 诓 (kuāng) means to deceive and has the right side 匡 (a box), hinting at 'trapping' someone with lies. 诔 (lěi) means a written eulogy and has the right side 耒 (an ancient plow), relating to writing about the deceased. Focus on the different right components.

谄 appears in formal or literary contexts, often in words like 谄媚 (chǎn mèi, to flatter obsequiously) and 谄笑 (chǎn xiào, a fawning smile). It carries a strong negative connotation, describing insincere flattery done for personal gain. The idiom 贫而无谄 (pín ér wú chǎn, poor but not fawning) is a cultural reference praising someone who stays dignified even in poverty.

Common words containing 谄 include: 谄媚 (chǎn mèi) — To flatter; to toady; 谄笑 (chǎn xiào) — An ingratiating smile; a fawning smile; 贫而无谄 (pín ér wú chǎn) — Poor but not fawning.