Common Meanings
1
cuàn爨
To cook; to prepare a meal (especially referring to traditional cooking over fire), often implying managing one's own household for meals.
兄弟俩成家后，便分爨而居，各自生活。
After the two brothers got married, they established separate households, each cooking and managing their own daily lives.
A stove or cooking range, often implying a traditional or rustic one.
他们一家人围着土爨，享受着简朴却温馨的晚餐
The whole family gathered around the earthen stove, enjoying a simple yet warm dinner.
In ancient Chinese opera (Song Dynasty zaju and Jin Dynasty yuanben), 'cuan' referred to a type of short, themed performance or skit, often featuring specific topics.
专家们正在研究宋代杂剧中的《讲百花爨》这部作品，以了解当时的表演艺术。
Experts are currently studying the work 'The Cuan of a Hundred Flowers' found in Song Dynasty zaju, to understand the performing arts of that era.
To act or perform in a play, especially referring to theatrical performances. Derived from ancient usage related to 'setting up a stove' (爨) for cooking, which evolved to mean preparing and staging a show.
剧团的演员们正在排练，准备爨演一场精彩的舞台剧。
The actors of the troupe are rehearsing, preparing to perform a wonderful stage play.