(àn) - to press; according to in Mandarin

àn

Traditional: 按

#920 of 5,000 Core 1000

Translation

to press; according to

Word origin

按 is a phono-semantic compound: the hand radical 扌 indicates an action of the hand, while 安 (ān) gives the sound. The hand radical fits its meaning of pressing down with the hand.

Origin: phono-semantic compound
Root: 扌 (hand radical) + 安 (ān, phonetic)

Stroke order

按

Examples

钮niǔ。

Please press this button.

。

Proceed according to the plan.

。

I arrived on time.

红hóng钮niǔ。

Please press this red button.

。

We act according to the plan.

按 (àn) means to press or according to.

Where this fits

The 1,000 most common Mandarin words

Where this word sits in the core vocabulary, and what to learn around it.

Mandarin vocabulary by HSK level

How many words each level actually needs, with real counts.

Mandarin learning guides

Podcasts, pronunciation traps and the things a word list cannot teach.

Add to review queue

Track this word in your spaced-repetition queue and be tested on it at the right interval.

Go to my review queue

Mandarin · Free printables

按: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "按" (to press; according to): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

Free for members

The printable worksheets, infographics and PDFs are free with an account. Start a free week and download as many as you like.

Start your free week

This word is part of lesson 19.