Common Meanings
1
gān干
To interfere with, to meddle in, or to offend.
请不要干涉我的私人事务。
Please do not interfere with my private affairs.
To pursue or seek, often for official positions or emoluments; to strive for (e.g., fame, profit).
他一向不爱干名利，只求问心无愧
He has always disdained pursuing fame and fortune, only seeking a clear conscience.
To be related to; to concern; to involve.
这件事和他互不相干。
This matter has nothing to do with him.
Shield (an ancient weapon for defense against swords and spears).
为了一点小事，没必要大动干戈。
There's no need to make such a big fuss over a trivial matter.
One of the ten 'Heavenly Stems' (甲, 乙, 丙, 丁, 戊, 己, 庚, 辛, 壬, 癸) used in the ancient Chinese sexagenary cycle for recording time (years, months, days, hours) or for sequencing.
根据天干地支，可以推算一个人的生辰八字。
According to the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, one's Bazi (four pillars of destiny) can be calculated.
bank; shore; waterside (especially of a river)
小船停靠在河干，渔夫们正在整理渔网。
The small boats docked at the riverbank, and the fishermen were sorting their nets.
several; a certain number or amount (often used in the phrase 'ruògān' 若干)
我们还有若干问题需要解决。
We still have several problems to solve.
dry; lacking moisture; parched, opposite of wet.
他感觉嘴巴很干。
He felt his mouth was very dry.
Dry food or other items, often referring to preserved or dehydrated edibles.
妈妈给我买了一些饼干。
Mom bought me some biscuits.
To dry up; to exhaust; to empty; to finish (a drink); to do completely
我们为友谊干杯！
Let's toast to our friendship!
in vain; for nothing; futilely
我们干着急也没用，事情已经发生了。
It's no use for us to worry in vain; the matter has already happened.
Used to refer to a recognized relative who is not related by blood or marriage, such as a godparent or godchild.
小明有一个干妈，对他非常好
Xiao Ming has a godmother who is very kind to him.
To scold or reprimand someone directly and severely, often causing them embarrassment or discomfort.
小明上课玩手机，被老师干了一顿。
Xiao Ming played with his phone in class and was given a good scolding by the teacher.
To neglect; to ignore; to leave aside.
你不能总是把问题干在一旁，迟早要解决的
You can't always leave the problems aside; they will have to be solved sooner or later.
In the context of 'Gan Jiang' (干将), it refers to the legendary ancient Chinese sword.
干将莫邪是古代著名的两把剑。
Gan Jiang and Moxie are two famous ancient swords.
2
gàn干
The main or essential part of something, such as a trunk (of a tree or body) or a main line/route.
这棵树的树干很粗壮，需要两个人才能合抱。
The trunk of this tree is very thick and strong; it takes two people to embrace it.
to do; to work; to act; to engage in
他是一个说干就干的人，从不拖延
He is a man of action, never procrastinating.
Capable; competent; efficient in handling affairs.
他是一位非常能干的经理。
He is a very capable manager.
Dialectal. To be bad, ruined, or spoiled (often referring to a situation or outcome).
这下可干了，钥匙找不到了
Now it's really bad, the keys are lost.