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簟 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
簟diànbamboo matg, 18 strokes, radical ⺮
簟diànfine woven grass matunknown, 18 strokes, radical ⺮
diàn(dian4) T4
  1. 1bamboo mat
  2. 2fine woven grass mat
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

簟diàn(dian4)

The character 簟 (diàn) refers to a bamboo mat or a fine woven grass mat, commonly used in traditional Chinese homes for sitting or sleeping. It embodies the idea of simplicity and natural materials, often associated with an aesthetic of minimalism and harmony with nature, especially in rural or historical contexts.

Strokes18Radical⺮
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, bamboo mats are often associated with summer living and are used to keep cool during hot weather. They can also be found in tea houses, where they contribute to a serene atmosphere.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'di' (sounds like 'de') and a 'tan' (sounds like 'tan') lying on a bamboo mat. The bamboo structure represents the character's components: the bamboo radical (竹) on the left signifies its material, while the rest of the character suggests the flat, laid-down nature of a mat. Picture yourself relaxing on this mat, feeling connected to nature.

Meanings of 簟

diàn(dian4)
1bamboo mat
2fine woven grass mat
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 簟

簟Simplified
18Strokes
⺮Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 簟

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Podcast: 簟

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AI Study Notes for 簟

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 簟 with similar characters that also refer to mats or textiles. This word is typically used in more formal contexts or when discussing traditional decor. Common collocations include '竹簟' (bamboo mat) or '草簟' (grass mat).

HSK Study Tips

As 簟 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it is important to learn it within the context of related words, such as those that describe home furnishings or traditional lifestyles. Focus on its usage alongside words related to nature and materials.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 簟 with similar characters like 席 (xí), which means 'mat' but can refer to a broader variety of mats or seats. A wrong usage would be saying '我坐在席上' (Wǒ zuò zài xí shàng), which should specify '簟' if referring to a bamboo mat.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 簟

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Etymology of 簟

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

bamboo

Semantic (meaning)⺮
+
Phonetic (sound)覃
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 簟

  1. 1The meaning half⺮ carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half覃 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaybamboo
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 簟? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 簟?

Decomposition of 簟

IDS Structure⿱⺮覃
簟Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
覃Qin2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 簟?

How to say bamboo mat in Chinese

“bamboo mat” in Chinese is簟diàn

The character 簟 (diàn) refers to a bamboo mat or a fine woven grass mat, commonly used in traditional Chinese homes for sitting or sleeping. It embodies the idea of simplicity and natural materials, often associated with an aesthetic of minimalism and harmony with nature, especially in rural or historical contexts.

When to use 簟

Be careful not to confuse 簟 with similar characters that also refer to mats or textiles. This word is typically used in more formal contexts or when discussing traditional decor. Common collocations include '竹簟' (bamboo mat) or '草簟' (grass mat).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 簟 with similar characters like 席 (xí), which means 'mat' but can refer to a broader variety of mats or seats. A wrong usage would be saying '我坐在席上' (Wǒ zuò zài xí shàng), which should specify '簟' if referring to a bamboo mat.

Write 簟

簟

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 簟

Words Containing This Character1
簟diànfine woven grass mat
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 簟 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 簟

While both refer to types of mats, 簟 specifically denotes bamboo or fine woven grass mats, whereas 草席 generally refers to a straw mat.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 簟?

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