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柑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
gāntangerine, loose-skinned orangen, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #43797, Very Hard
gānlarge tangerineunknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #43797, Very Hard
gān(gan1) T1
  1. 1tangerine, loose-skinned orange
  2. 2large tangerine
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
gān(gan1)

柑 (gān) refers to a type of citrus fruit, specifically a tangerine or loose-skinned orange. It is commonly used in contexts relating to fruit markets, cooking, and discussions about healthy eating, especially during the Chinese New Year when citrus fruits symbolize good fortune.

Strokes9RadicalFrequency#43797DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, citrus fruits like 柑 are often given as gifts during the Lunar New Year, symbolizing prosperity and good luck. The bright color and sweet taste are associated with positive energy and fortune.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large, golden tangerine hanging from a tree. The character 柑 has the radical 木 (wood) on the left, representing trees, and the right side resembles a fruit. Picture a 'gan' (gān) of sweet tangerines growing in a sunny orchard, making it easy to remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 柑

gān(gan1)
1tangerine, loose-skinned orange
2large tangerine
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 柑

Simplified
9Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 柑

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 柑

Quick Contrast

橙 (chéng) - use 柑 when referring to loose-skinned citrus, while 橙 denotes firmer-skinned oranges.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large, golden tangerine hanging from a tree. The character 柑 has the radical 木 (wood) on the left, representing trees, and the right side resembles a fruit. Picture a 'gan' (gān) of sweet tangerines growing in a sunny orchard, making it easy to remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Usage Notes

柑 is often used in informal contexts, such as conversations about fruit or food. Be careful not to confuse it with similar characters like 橙 (chéng), which specifically refers to oranges. Common collocations include 柑橘 (gān jú, citrus) and 柑果 (gān guǒ, tangerine fruit).

HSK Study Tips

Although 柑 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with other fruit-related words you may encounter. Focus on the pronunciation and recognition of the character, as it will enhance your vocabulary related to food and health.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, citrus fruits like 柑 are often given as gifts during the Lunar New Year, symbolizing prosperity and good luck. The bright color and sweet taste are associated with positive energy and fortune.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 柑 with similar characters like 橙 (chéng) or 柚 (yòu). For example, saying '我喜欢吃橙' (I like to eat oranges) when they mean tangerines should be corrected to '我喜欢吃柑'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 柑

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Etymology of 柑

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A tree 木 bearing sweet fruit 甘; 甘 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 柑?

Decomposition of 柑

IDS Structure⿰木甘
Full Character
=
Mu4
left
Gan1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 柑?

Write 柑

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 柑

柑 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

他在乡村不断换工作,为不同的____橘园干活。

He moved around the country working in orange groves.

Example Sentences for 柑 (2)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他在乡村不断换工作,为不同的柑橘园干活。

tā zài xiāng cūn bù duàn huàn gōng zuò, , wéi bù tóng de gān jú yuán gān。

He moved around the country working in orange groves.
2
每年夏秋, 石榴 、 柑桔 、 香蕉 、 葡萄挂满枝头.

měi nián xià qiū, , shí、 liú 、、 gān jú、 、 xiāng jiāo 、 pú táo.

Annual Xia Qiu, pomegranate, orange, banana, grape hangs full branch.

Cultural Notes for 柑

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, citrus fruits like 柑 are often given as gifts during the Lunar New Year, symbolizing prosperity and good luck. The bright color and sweet taste are associated with positive energy and fortune.

Word Family of 柑

Words Containing This Character5
柑橘citrus
gānlarge tangerine
蜜柑tangerine
广柑a variety of orange grown in Guangdong, Sichuan, Taiwan etc廣柑
橘柑tangerine
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 柑橘 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 柑

柑 refers to tangerines or loose-skinned oranges, while 橙 specifically denotes oranges. They are different types of citrus fruits.