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敢(gǎn) — meaning, uses and examples

1. modal verb to dare

   你敢从这里跳下去吗？

   Nǐ gǎn cóng zhèlǐ tiào xiàqù ma?

   Do you dare jump down from here?

2. modal verb to venture to say; to be certain (敢肯定, 敢保证)

   我敢肯定他没走。

   Wǒ gǎn kěndìng tā méi zǒu.

   I am certain he has not left.

3. adverb may I venture to (polite, literary: 敢问)

   敢问先生尊姓大名？

   Gǎn wèn xiānsheng zūnxìng dàmíng?

   May I dare ask your full name, sir?

4. adverb 不敢: polite demurral (you flatter me)

   这个小伙子很优秀！

   Zhège xiǎohuǒzi hěn yōuxiù!

   What an outstanding young man!

5. adverb (northwestern dialect) 不敢 = must not; had better not

   这事属于机密，你不敢跟别人说哦！

   Zhè shì shǔyú jīmì, nǐ bù gǎn gēn biérén shuō o!

   This is confidential — you must not tell anyone!