Meaning
善
shàn
Kindness, goodness
- 善
- kindness, goodness
A single character for goodness of heart; timeless and simple.
Kindness in Chinese
The Chinese word for kindness is 善 (shàn). A single character for goodness of heart; timeless and simple.
善
shàn
Kindness
What 善 means.
善 means good and kind. The opening line of the Three Character Classic, which generations of children learned by heart, says 人之初，性本善: people are good by nature.
- 善
- kindness, goodness
Simplified and traditional
善
善
善 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese, so every Chinese reader recognises it.
Pick the shade of meaning.
Chinese often has more than one word where English has one. Here is how they differ.
Meaning
善良
shàn liáng
Kind-hearted
- 善
- kindness, goodness
- 良
- good, kind
The everyday two-character word for a kind person.
About kindness in Chinese
How do you write kindness in Chinese?
Kindness is 善 in Chinese, pronounced shàn. Kindness, goodness
How do you pronounce 善?
Say shàn (fourth tone, falling). Mandarin tones change meaning, so it is worth listening to a native speaker once.
Is 善 different in traditional Chinese?
No. 善 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese.
What other Chinese words mean kindness?
善良 (shàn liáng): Kind-hearted The everyday two-character word for a kind person.
Is 善 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes, it is a real, everyday Chinese word rather than a machine translation, so Chinese readers will understand it. As a single character it works even at small sizes. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.