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March 24, 2026
藍lán(lan2)
The character 藍 (lán) primarily means 'blue,' representing a color often associated with calmness and depth. It can also refer to the indigo plant, which is historically significant in dye production. Additionally, 藍 is a common surname in Chinese culture.
Strokes18Radical艹Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, blue was often associated with nobility and was used in art and textiles. The indigo plant has historical significance as a dye source, especially in the creation of blue fabric for clothing.
Memory Tip
Imagine a blue sky filled with indigo plants swaying gently. The character 藍 contains the radical '艹' which suggests plants, and '南' which sounds like 'nán,' hinting at the deep blue of the southern sky. Picture a serene landscape where these elements come together.
Meanings of 藍
lán(lan2)
1blue; indigo plant; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 藍
藍Simplified
18Strokes
艹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 藍
Podcast: 藍
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AI Study Notes for 藍
Quick Contrast
蓝 (lán) - This is the simplified form of 藍, and while they represent the same color, 藍 is used in traditional Chinese contexts.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a blue sky filled with indigo plants swaying gently. The character 藍 contains the radical '艹' which suggests plants, and '南' which sounds like 'nán,' hinting at the deep blue of the southern sky. Picture a serene landscape where these elements come together.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of using 藍 inappropriately; it is often used in formal contexts when describing colors or in artistic discussions. Common collocations include 藍色 (lánsè - blue color) and 藍天 (lántiān - blue sky). Remember that tone can change meaning; ensure you pronounce it with the second tone.
HSK Study Tips
While 藍 is not included in the official HSK levels, it connects well with HSK 1 vocabulary related to colors like 红 (hóng - red) and 绿 (lǜ - green). Focus on recognizing the character and practicing its pronunciation to enhance your color vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, blue was often associated with nobility and was used in art and textiles. The indigo plant has historical significance as a dye source, especially in the creation of blue fabric for clothing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 藍 with other color characters like 青 (qīng - green/blue). For example, saying '我喜欢青色' when referring to blue can be misleading; the correct term is '我喜欢藍色.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 藍
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Cultural Notes for 藍
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, blue was often associated with nobility and was used in art and textiles. The indigo plant has historical significance as a dye source, especially in the creation of blue fabric for clothing.
Word Family of 藍
Words Containing This Character20
蓝lánblue藍
蓝色lánsèblue (color)藍色
蓝天lántiānblue sky藍天
蓝图lántúblueprint藍圖
蔚蓝wèilánazure蔚藍
蓝宝石sapphire藍寶石
甘蓝cabbage甘藍
蓝领lánlǐngblue-collar藍領
湛蓝azure湛藍
蓝本blueprint藍本
蓝皮书an official report (e.g. governmental)藍皮書
天蓝sky blue天藍
天蓝色azure天藍色
蓝藻cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)藍藻
蓝山Lanshan county in Yongzhou 永州[Yǒngzhōu], Hunan藍山
板蓝根indigo woad root板藍根
碧蓝dark blue碧藍
蓝田Lantian county in Xi'an 西安[Xī'ān], Shaanxi藍田
蓝鲸blue whale藍鯨
深蓝Deep Blue, chess-playing computer, first to defeat reigning world champion, developed by IBM (1985-1997)深藍
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蓝 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 藍
It is pronounced 'lán' with a rising tone.
Yes, 藍 is frequently used in discussions about colors, fashion, and art.
You can use 藍色 (lánsè - blue color) and 藍天 (lántiān - blue sky) in conversations.
