unknown, 13 strokes, radical 氵, rank #9298, Very Hard
tān(tan1)tan T1
1beach
2shoal
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March 24, 2026
滩(灘)tān(tan1)
The character 滩 (tān) refers to a beach, shoal, or sandbar, often associated with shallow water areas. It can describe a variety of environments where water meets land, such as riverbanks or coastal regions. Commonly used in geographical contexts, this term evokes imagery of leisure and natural beauty.
Strokes13Radical氵Frequency#9298DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, beaches and rivers are often seen as places for relaxation and family outings, especially during festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival, where people enjoy activities near water.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'tan' (sounds like 'tān') where you relax on a beach. The water '滩' is shallow and calm, perfect for a peaceful day. Visualize the waves gently lapping at the 'sand' (the '水' radical) as you relax on the shores.
Meanings of 滩
tān(tan1)
1beach
2shoal
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 滩 means.
About 滩
滩Simplified
灘Traditional
13Strokes
氵Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#9298Frequency Rank
片Measure Word
Podcast: 滩
Podcast: 滩
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AI Study Notes for 滩
Quick Contrast
沙滩 (shātān, sandy beach) vs 滩 (tān, shoal) — use 沙滩 when specifically referring to a sandy beach, while 滩 can refer to any shallow water area.
Usage Notes
滩 is typically used in informal contexts, especially when discussing nature or travel. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like '贪' (tān), which means greedy. Common collocations include '沙滩' (shātān) meaning 'sand beach' and '江滩' (jiāngtān) meaning 'riverbank.'
HSK Study Tips
While 滩 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can enhance understanding of water-related terms. Students should focus on its usage in context with related terms like '海' (hǎi, sea) and '河' (hé, river) to build a cohesive vocabulary around water features.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 滩 with '滩' (tān) and '贪' (tān). For example, saying '我喜欢贪海边' (I like being greedy by the seaside) instead of '我喜欢滩海边' (I like the beach). Always check the context to ensure you are using the correct term.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 滩
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How Well Do You Know 滩?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 滩 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 滩 (tān) refers to a beach, shoal, or sandbar, often associated with shallow water areas. It can describe a variety of environments where water meets land, such as riverbanks or coastal regions. Commonly used in geographical contexts, this term evokes imagery of leisure and natural beauty.
When to use 滩
滩 is typically used in informal contexts, especially when discussing nature or travel. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like '贪' (tān), which means greedy. Common collocations include '沙滩' (shātān) meaning 'sand beach' and '江滩' (jiāngtān) meaning 'riverbank.'
滩 or something close to it
沙滩 (shātān, sandy beach) vs 滩 (tān, shoal) — use 沙滩 when specifically referring to a sandy beach, while 滩 can refer to any shallow water area.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 滩 with '滩' (tān) and '贪' (tān). For example, saying '我喜欢贪海边' (I like being greedy by the seaside) instead of '我喜欢滩海边' (I like the beach). Always check the context to ensure you are using the correct term.
Write 滩
滩
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Grammar Patterns of 滩
滩 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 4 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这艘船停靠在细沙____上。
The ship has come to rest on the fine sand.
Common Confusions with 滩
滩vs潭
tán
Different character with a similar phonetic sound but refers to a deep water area.
