chan
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for chan, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A single discussion channel on IRC or a similar chat network.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
The internet sense is a clipping of "channel." The Buddhist sense comes from Chinese chán, itself borrowed from Sanskrit dhyāna ("meditation").
Full origin of chan →Frequently asked questions
What does “chan” mean?
The word “chan” means a single discussion channel on IRC or a similar chat network. In plain terms, depending on context: an online chat channel, an anonymous imageboard, or the Chinese Buddhist tradition better known in the West by its Japanese name, Zen.
How do you pronounce “chan”?
“Chan” is pronounced chan (/t͡ʃæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “chan” in a sentence?
Here is “chan” used in a sentence: “They created a new chan to discuss the game update.”
What part of speech is “chan”?
“Chan” is a noun.
Where does the word “chan” come from?
The word “chan” comes from Sanskrit. The internet sense is a clipping of "channel." The Buddhist sense comes from Chinese chán, itself borrowed from Sanskrit dhyāna ("meditation").
Is “chan” a common word?
“Chan” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “chan” have?
“Chan” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a single discussion channel on IRC or a similar chat network.
What is the difference between Chan and Zen?
They are the same tradition under two names. Chan is the school of Chinese Buddhism that emphasizes sudden enlightenment reached through meditation rather than scripture study, and Zen is what that school is called in Japan. Writers on Chinese Buddhism say Chan; writers on the Japanese tradition say Zen.
Why are anonymous imageboards called "chans"?
The label comes from the naming pattern of 4chan-style sites, where chan traces back to "channel." An imageboard modeled on that anonymous-posting format is informally called a chan. Separately, chan can also mean a single discussion channel on IRC or a similar chat network.
Is the Chan in Chan Buddhism related to the Japanese suffix -chan?
No. Chan Buddhism is a school of Chinese Buddhism, known in Japan as Zen, while -chan is a Japanese diminutive suffix added to names to show affection or familiarity. They are unrelated words that happen to share a spelling in English.