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."

Noun

1. an Asian skiff usually propelled by two oars