HSK · Level 104
45 words
Chinese word
窜
Pronunciation
Pinyincuàn
Meaning
- verbrun away
Example
坏人一被发现就往外窜走。huài rén yí bèi fā xiàn jiù wǎng wài cuàn zǒu
The bad guy runs outside as soon as he is discovered.
More examples
春节前夕，猪肉价格突然窜升，引发了公众关注。chūn jié qián xī zhū ròu jià gé tū rán cuàn shēng yǐn fā le gōng zhòng guān zhù
Just before the Spring Festival, pork prices suddenly skyrocketed, drawing public attention.
Core concept
A quick escape through an opening extends to anything that suddenly shoots up or spreads.
Common phrases
价格窜升jià gé cuàn shēng
prices skyrocket
股价窜升gǔ jià cuàn shēng
stock prices skyrocket
Similar words
逃跑táo pǎo: Escape by running away from someone or something dangerous.
逃离táo lí: Leave a place or situation by fleeing from it.
逃脱táo tuō: Escape from confinement or a hard situation and become free.
Definition in Chinese
突然迅速地向外奔跑或溜走，常用于表示被发现后匆忙离开的动作；在书面语中也用于比喻事物短时间内的急速上升或蔓延。tū rán xùn sù dì xiàng wài bēn pǎo huò liū zǒu cháng yòng yú biǎo shì bèi fā xiàn hòu cōng máng lí kāi de dòng zuò zài shū miàn yǔ zhōng yě yòng yú bǐ yù shì wù duǎn shí jiān nèi de jí sù shàng shēng huò màn yán
Word origin
窜 (cuàn, "to flee") comes from an older character depicting a rat in a hole, linking the word to a quick movement out of hiding.
Usage tips
- The verb is stronger and more vivid than a neutral word for leaving, so it suits a hurried escape in a story; in formal reports, it can make a rapid increase sound abrupt and noticeable.