GAN-4

('gan' in the fourth tone)

There are two independent characters which, when integrated into more complicated characters, function as sound-determining elements: 干 and 甘.

干 = to do

干 should not be confused with 于 = yu(2) = in, on, at. The vertical stroke of 于 ends with a hook; the vertical stroke of 干 has no hook.

明天我们要干什么? = Ming(2) tian(1) wo(3)men(-) yao(4) gan(4) shen(2)me(-)? = What will we do tomorrow?

你在干仔么? = Ni(3) zai(4) gan(4) shen(2)me(-)? = What are you doing?

The character 做 = zuo(4) has the same meaning as 干, and is used more frequently.

In some instances, only 做 can be used:

做爱 = zuo(4) ai(4)