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March 24, 2026
罈tán(tan2)
The character 罈 (tán) refers primarily to a type of vessel or altar used for ceremonial purposes. It can also denote specific spaces like an arena or examination hall, often implying a formal context where significant activities occur, such as tests or rituals.
Strokes18Radical缶Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, altars and ceremonial vessels like the 罈 are integral to various rituals, especially in ancestor worship and traditional festivals, highlighting the importance of respect for heritage and spiritual practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large, ancient vessel (the shape of 罈) filled with offerings during a ceremony. This vessel is placed in an arena (the open space around it), making it easy to remember that 罈 relates to important gatherings and places of examination.
Meanings of 罈
tán(tan2)
1altar; arena; examination hall
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About 罈
罈Simplified
18Strokes
缶Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 罈
Podcast: 罈
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AI Study Notes for 罈
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large, ancient vessel (the shape of 罈) filled with offerings during a ceremony. This vessel is placed in an arena (the open space around it), making it easy to remember that 罈 relates to important gatherings and places of examination.
Usage Notes
When using 罈, be cautious of its formality; it’s typically found in literary or historical texts rather than everyday conversations. It often appears in phrases related to ceremonies or formal gatherings. Avoid confusing it with other characters that denote basic containers.
HSK Study Tips
While 罈 is not an HSK level word, it can be linked to HSK 4 vocabulary dealing with places and events. Focus on understanding its context in formal settings and how it interacts with other words related to ceremonies.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, altars and ceremonial vessels like the 罈 are integral to various rituals, especially in ancestor worship and traditional festivals, highlighting the importance of respect for heritage and spiritual practices.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 罈 with similar characters like 瓶 (píng), which means bottle, leading to incorrect uses in casual contexts. Remember that 罈 is more formal and ceremonial.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 罈
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Cultural Notes for 罈
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, altars and ceremonial vessels like the 罈 are integral to various rituals, especially in ancestor worship and traditional festivals, highlighting the importance of respect for heritage and spiritual practices.
Word Family of 罈
Words Containing This Character19
论坛lùntánforum (for discussion)論壇
祭坛altar祭壇
坛tánplatform壇
政坛political circles政壇
乐坛music circles樂壇
歌坛singing stage歌壇
坛子jug (earthenware with a big belly and a small opening)罈子
足坛soccer circles足壇
花坛Huatan township in Changhua county 彰化縣|彰化县[Zhānghuàxiàn], Taiwan花壇
影坛moviedom影壇
体坛sporting circles體壇
文坛literary circles文壇
讲坛a platform (to speak)講壇
天坛Temple of Heaven (in Beijing)天壇
诗坛poetry circles詩壇
画坛painting world畫壇
金坛Jintan county level city in Changzhou 常州[Chángzhōu], Jiangsu金壇
地坛Temple of Earth (in Beijing)地壇
醋坛子vinegar jar醋罈子
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 论坛 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 罈
罈 specifically refers to ceremonial vessels or altars, while 罐 refers to a more general container, like a jar.
You would use 罈 in formal contexts discussing ceremonies, rituals, or specific locations like an examination hall.
