sampan

/'sæmpæn/

Thân thiện

A fisherman rows his sampan across the calm river.

Definition

Noun: A small, flat-bottomed wooden boat, traditionally used in coastal waters and rivers of East Asia and Southeast Asia, typically propelled by oars or a single scull from the stern.

Usage

A "sampan" refers specifically to a type of simple, practical boat common in Asian maritime culture. It is used for fishing, transportation of goods and people, and as a dwelling.

Examples

• The fisherman rowed his sampan out into the harbor at dawn.
• The old sampan, laden with vegetables, moved slowly along the canal.
• Many families lived on houseboats and sampans moored along the riverbank.

Advanced Usage

• "To live on a sampan": To use the boat as a primary residence, a traditional lifestyle for some communities in regions like southern China and Hong Kong.
  • For generations, their family has lived on a sampan.

Variants and Related Words

• Sampan man (n, archaic): A man who operates a sampan for hire, often for ferrying passengers.
  • He hailed a sampan man to take him across the river.

Synonyms

• Skiff: A general term for a small, light rowing boat.
• Dinghy: A small boat, often carried by a larger vessel.

Notes on Meaning

The term is specific to the boat's regional origin and design. While it is a type of skiff, using "sampan" evokes its distinct cultural and geographical context, unlike the more generic "boat" or "rowboat."

Học thuật

Noun

1. an Asian skiff usually propelled by two oars