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March 24, 2026
罕hǎn(han3)
The character 罕 (hǎn) means 'rare' or 'scarce', referring to something that is not commonly found or is infrequently encountered. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing rare natural phenomena, scarce resources, or even uncommon qualities in people.
Strokes7Radical⺳Frequency#13053DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, rarity often signifies value or uniqueness, as seen in discussions about rare antiques or traditional medicine. The appreciation for rare items reflects broader cultural values concerning history and heritage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a rare bird that you can hardly find; the character 罕 looks like a bird in a cage (罕) that is rarely seen. The 'h' sound in 'hǎn' can remind you of 'hard to find', emphasizing its rarity.
Meanings of 罕
hǎn(han3)
1rare
2rare, scarce; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 罕
罕Simplified
7Strokes
⺳Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#13053Frequency Rank
Podcast: 罕
Podcast: 罕
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AI Study Notes for 罕
Quick Contrast
稀 (xī) - use 罕 (hǎn) when emphasizing rarity in a more literary or formal context, while 稀 (xī) often describes something that is thinly spread or sparse.
Usage Notes
When using 罕, be careful of its formal tone; it's often used in literary or academic contexts rather than in everyday conversation. A common collocation is '罕见' (hǎnjiàn), meaning 'rarely seen' or 'uncommon'. Remember to use the correct third tone (hǎn) to avoid confusion with other characters.
HSK Study Tips
Although 罕 is not included in the official HSK levels, it shares roots with other characters that express rarity or scarcity. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in compound words and phrases to understand its context better.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 罕 with similar-sounding characters like 汉 (hàn), which means 'Han' as in the Han dynasty or Han people. Make sure to remember the context and meaning for accurate usage.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 罕
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1The giveawayAn empty 干 fishing net ⺳; 干 also provides the pronunciation
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 罕? 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 罕?
Decomposition of 罕
IDS Structure⿱⺳干
罕Full Character
=
⺳—
top
干gan1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 罕?
How to say rare in Chinese
“rare” in Chinese is罕hǎn
The character 罕 (hǎn) means 'rare' or 'scarce', referring to something that is not commonly found or is infrequently encountered. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing rare natural phenomena, scarce resources, or even uncommon qualities in people.
When to use 罕
When using 罕, be careful of its formal tone; it's often used in literary or academic contexts rather than in everyday conversation. A common collocation is '罕见' (hǎnjiàn), meaning 'rarely seen' or 'uncommon'. Remember to use the correct third tone (hǎn) to avoid confusion with other characters.
罕 or something close to it
稀 (xī) - use 罕 (hǎn) when emphasizing rarity in a more literary or formal context, while 稀 (xī) often describes something that is thinly spread or sparse.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 罕 with similar-sounding characters like 汉 (hàn), which means 'Han' as in the Han dynasty or Han people. Make sure to remember the context and meaning for accurate usage.
Write 罕
罕
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Practice writing 罕 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 罕
罕 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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.
