verb / noun HSK 4
Traditional 贊
to praise · to approve · to support · like (social media)
Meaning
赞 means to express approval, admiration, or support for someone or something. In modern usage, it's extremely common in social media contexts where it means 'like' (as in clicking the like button). It can also mean praise in more formal or literary contexts.
Usage
This is one of the most common words in contemporary Chinese social media. Native speakers use 点赞 (diǎn zàn) to mean 'to like/click like' on posts. In spoken Mandarin, people often say 赞 alone as an exclamation meaning 'awesome!' or 'great!' It's casual and positive in tone.
Examples
- 01你的照片真好看，我给你点个赞。, .Your photo looks really good, I'll give you a like.
- 02老师赞扬了他的努力和进步。.The teacher praised his effort and progress.
Measure words
- 个一个赞
Common collocations
- 点赞to click like, to give a thumbs up
- 赞美to praise, to admire
- 称赞to praise
- 赞同to approve, to agree with
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 贊 originally combined 兟 (two weapons) and 貝 (cowrie shells/money), suggesting the idea of supporting or assisting someone with resources. Over time it evolved to mean praise and approval.