Sampan Meaning in English
word
Definition
A sampan is a small, flat-bottomed wooden boat, usually found in East and Southeast Asia, often used for fishing or transport on rivers and coastal waters.
Usage & Nuances
"Sampan" is specific to Asian contexts and is rarely used to describe boats outside this region. The word often appears in travel writing or discussions about traditional Asian river life. It is always a noun and not interchangeable with 'boat' or 'canoe' in other contexts.
Example Sentences
The fisherman lives on a sampan.
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They crossed the river in a sampan.
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A sampan can carry several people.
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Locals often use a sampan to visit nearby floating markets.
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At sunset, I watched a family eating dinner on their sampan.
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Tourists love taking photos of the colorful sampans along the riverbank.
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