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March 24, 2026
澜(瀾)lán(lan2)
The character 澜 (lán) refers to large waves or ripples in water, typically signifying a sense of overflow or swelling. It is often used in poetic or literary contexts to evoke imagery of vast bodies of water and their dynamic movements.
Strokes15Radical氵Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, water imagery, including waves (澜), is often used to express emotions, such as tranquility or turmoil, reflecting the deep connection between nature and human feelings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large wave (澜) crashing against the shore, overflowing with energy. The character has a water radical (氵), indicating its connection to water, making it easier to remember that it relates to waves and ripples.
Meanings of 澜
lán(lan2)
1overflowing; ripples, waves
2swelling water
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 澜
澜Simplified
瀾Traditional
15Strokes
氵Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 澜
Podcast: 澜
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AI Study Notes for 澜
Quick Contrast
波 (bō) - use 澜 (lán) for larger, more dramatic waves, while 波 (bō) refers to smaller, more regular waves.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large wave (澜) crashing against the shore, overflowing with energy. The character has a water radical (氵), indicating its connection to water, making it easier to remember that it relates to waves and ripples.
Usage Notes
澜 is more commonly used in literary or formal contexts rather than everyday conversation. Be cautious not to confuse it with 波 (bō), which generally refers to smaller waves or ripples. Common collocations include '澜起波涌' (lán qǐ bō yǒng), meaning 'waves rise and swell'.
HSK Study Tips
While 澜 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to water-related words like 水 (shuǐ) and 波 (bō). Students should focus on the context in which 澜 is used, especially in literature.
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, water imagery, including waves (澜), is often used to express emotions, such as tranquility or turmoil, reflecting the deep connection between nature and human feelings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 澜 with other water-related terms such as 浪 (làng) or 波 (bō). For example, saying '我看到澜在海里' (I saw waves in the sea) might be inaccurate if referring to smaller waves, where 波 would be more appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 澜
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Grammar Patterns of 澜
澜 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 5
Complete the Sentence
他的话必将为争论推波助____。
His comments are bound to add fuel to the debate.
Example Sentences for 澜 (5)
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1
他的话必将为争论推波助澜。
tā de huà bì jiāng wéi zhēng lùn tuī bō zhù lán。
His comments are bound to add fuel to the debate.
2
船会停靠在那里，映衬在一片波澜不兴的湛蓝海水之中。
chuán huì tíng kào zài nà lǐ， ， yìng chèn zài yī piàn bō lán bù xīng de zhàn lán hǎi shuǐ zhī。
The ship would lie there mirrored in a perfectly unmoving glossy sea.
3
回程波澜不惊，车开得很顺。
huí chéng bō lán bù jīng， ， chē kāi dé hěn。
The return journey was uneventful, the car running perfectly.
4
这则消息震惊了整个社区，直到现在还波澜未息。
zhè zé xiāo xī zhèn jīng le zhěng gè shè qū， ， zhí dào xiàn zài huán bō lán wèi。
The news sent shock waves through the community that have continued to reverberate to this day.
Dressed in costumes gather the people near the river bank and ruili, watch Boat Festival.
Cultural Notes for 澜
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese poetry, water imagery, including waves (澜), is often used to express emotions, such as tranquility or turmoil, reflecting the deep connection between nature and human feelings.
Word Family of 澜
Words Containing This Character9
波澜bōlánbillows波瀾
力挽狂澜to pull strongly against a crazy tide (idiom); fig. to try hard to save a desperate crisis力挽狂瀾
澜lánswelling water瀾
推波助澜to encourage sth to get bigger推波助瀾
杨澜Yang Lan (1968-), Chinese media proprietor, journalist, and talk show hostess楊瀾
波澜壮阔surging forward with great momentum波瀾壯闊
澜沧江Lancang River of Qinghai and Yunnan, the upper reaches of Mekong River 湄公河[MéigōngHé] of Southeast Asia瀾滄江
澜沧县Lancang Lahuzu autonomous county in Pu'er 普洱[Pǔ'ěr], Yunnan瀾滄縣
澜沧拉祜族自治县Lancang Lahuzu Autonomous County in Pu'er 普洱[Pǔ'ěr], Yunnan瀾滄拉祜族自治縣
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 波澜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 澜
It is pronounced as 'lán' with a rising tone.
It's more suited for literary or formal contexts rather than casual conversation.
Yes, words like 波 (bō) for waves and 浪 (làng) for waves or billows can be used depending on the context.
