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灘 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
灘tānrapids; sandbar, shoalzg, 22 strokes, radical 氵, rank #98765, Very Hard
tān(tan1)tan T1
  1. 1rapids; sandbar, shoal
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March 24, 2026

灘tān(tan1)

The character 灘 (tān) refers to natural features such as rapids, sandbars, or shoals found in rivers or lakes. It is commonly used in geographical contexts and can describe specific water bodies or areas where the current is swift and shallow, posing challenges for navigation.

Strokes22Radical氵Frequency#98765DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, rivers and their features are often celebrated in poetry and art, symbolizing both beauty and danger. The concept of rapids or shoals is significant in traditional stories that depict the challenges faced by travelers.

Memory tip

Imagine a swift river where the water rushes over a sandbar, creating rapids. The character 灘 (tān) looks like a wave (the top part) crashing over a sandy bank (the bottom part), reminding you of the sound and movement of water.

Meanings of 灘

tān(tan1)
1rapids; sandbar, shoal
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 灘

灘Simplified
22Strokes
氵Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 灘

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Podcast: 灘

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AI study notes for 灘

Quick Contrast

滩 (tān) refers specifically to a beach or shallow area by the shore, while 灘 (tān) emphasizes rapids or sandbars in rivers, highlighting different geographical contexts.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 灘 (tān) with other water-related characters like 河 (hé, river) or 湖 (hú, lake). It is typically used in more formal contexts related to geography. Be cautious with the tone; the first tone 'tān' is high and level, distinct from similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

While 灘 (tān) is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, its components can be connected to other water-related terms. Focus on recognizing radicals and context when encountering it in reading materials about nature or geography.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly pronounce 灘 as 'tàn' (fourth tone), which changes its meaning entirely. Another common error is using it interchangeably with 河 (hé) without understanding the specific context of rapids or sandbars.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 灘

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Etymology of 灘

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

Difficult 難 waters 氵 to navigate; 難 also provides the pronunciation

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

Origin

What kind of character is 灘?

Decomposition of 灘

IDS Structure⿰氵難
灘Full character
=
氵shui3
left
難nan2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 灘?

How to say rapids; sandbar, shoal in Chinese

“rapids; sandbar, shoal” in Chinese is灘tān

The character 灘 (tān) refers to natural features such as rapids, sandbars, or shoals found in rivers or lakes. It is commonly used in geographical contexts and can describe specific water bodies or areas where the current is swift and shallow, posing challenges for navigation.

When to use 灘

Learners often confuse 灘 (tān) with other water-related characters like 河 (hé, river) or 湖 (hú, lake). It is typically used in more formal contexts related to geography. Be cautious with the tone; the first tone 'tān' is high and level, distinct from similar-sounding words.

灘 or something close to it

滩 (tān) refers specifically to a beach or shallow area by the shore, while 灘 (tān) emphasizes rapids or sandbars in rivers, highlighting different geographical contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly pronounce 灘 as 'tàn' (fourth tone), which changes its meaning entirely. Another common error is using it interchangeably with 河 (hé) without understanding the specific context of rapids or sandbars.

Write 灘

灘

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

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Word Family of 灘

Words containing this character15
海滩hǎitānbeach海灘
沙滩shātānbeach沙灘
滩tānbeach灘
外滩the Shanghai Bund or Waitan外灘
滩涂mudflat灘塗
抢滩to seize a beachhead搶灘
河滩river bank河灘
浅滩shallows淺灘
戈壁滩Gobi desert戈壁灘
河漫滩floodplain河漫灘
冷水滩区Lengshuitan district of Yongzhou city 永州市[Yǒng​zhōu​shì], Hunan冷水灘區
盐滩salt flats鹽灘
冷水滩Lengshuitan district of Yongzhou city 永州市[Yǒng​zhōu​shì], Hunan冷水灘
沿滩区Yantan district of Zigong city 自貢市|自贡市[Zì​gòng​shì], Sichuan沿灘區
白碱滩区Baijiantan district (Uighur: Jerenbulaq Rayoni) of Qaramay City 克拉瑪依市|克拉玛依市[Kè​lā​mǎ​yī​shì], Xinjiang白鹼灘區
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 灘

What does 海滩 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 灘

You might encounter phrases like 浪灘 (làngtān, surf beach) or 灘頭 (tāntóu, sandbank).

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