Meanings of 嘆
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 嘆
Podcast: 嘆
Podcast: 嘆
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 嘆
感叹 (gǎntàn, to exclaim, to express a strong emotion) is used when someone is expressing a more intense emotional reaction compared to 嘆 (tàn), which is more subdued and reflective.
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 嘆, as it is pronounced with a falling tone (tàn). Common collocations include 嘆息 (tànxī - to sigh) and 嘆为观止 (tàn wéi guān zhǐ - to admire greatly). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where a more sophisticated term might be preferred.
While 嘆 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other HSK words that express emotions, such as 哭 (kū - to cry) and 笑 (xiào - to laugh). Focus on its pronunciation and emotional context to enhance your vocabulary.
Learners often confuse 嘆 with 叹, mistakenly using 叹 in everyday conversation. The correct usage in informal contexts is 嘆, as it feels more natural.
Pronunciation of 嘆
Drill the tone of 嘆 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 嘆
mouth
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 嘆
- 1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half堇 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaymouth
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 嘆? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 嘆?
Decomposition of 嘆
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 嘆?
How to say to sigh, to admire in Chinese
“to sigh, to admire” in Chinese is嘆
The character 嘆 (tàn) primarily means 'to sigh' and can also imply 'to admire' or express a sense of awe. It is often used in contexts where someone is reflecting on something with a mix of emotions, whether it be sadness, nostalgia, or admiration.
When to use 嘆
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 嘆, as it is pronounced with a falling tone (tàn). Common collocations include 嘆息 (tànxī - to sigh) and 嘆为观止 (tàn wéi guān zhǐ - to admire greatly). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where a more sophisticated term might be preferred.
嘆 or something close to it
感叹 (gǎntàn, to exclaim, to express a strong emotion) is used when someone is expressing a more intense emotional reaction compared to 嘆 (tàn), which is more subdued and reflective.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 嘆 with 叹, mistakenly using 叹 in everyday conversation. The correct usage in informal contexts is 嘆, as it feels more natural.
Write 嘆
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 嘆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 嘆
Compound Meaning
What does 惊叹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 嘆
Both characters are pronounced the same but 嘆 is more commonly used in modern contexts, while 叹 is often found in literary or formal settings.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 嘆?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.