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March 24, 2026
叹(嘆)tàn(tan4)
The character 叹 (tàn) means 'to sigh' or 'to exclaim.' It is often used to express emotions such as admiration or sadness. This character can be found in contexts where someone is reflecting on a situation or expressing a strong feeling, often accompanied by a vocal expression.
Strokes5Radical口Frequency#29478DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sighing is often associated with deep reflection or emotional release, making 叹 a word that might appear in poetry or literature. It symbolizes a connection to nature and one's inner feelings.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone sighing deeply while looking at a beautiful sunset, their breath forming the character 叹 in the air. The left part, 口, represents the mouth making the sound, while the right part, 壌, resembles the ground where they stand, emphasizing their connection to nature and feeling.
Meanings of 叹
tàn(tan4)
1to sigh
2to gasp
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 叹
叹Simplified
嘆Traditional
5Strokes
口Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#29478Frequency Rank
Podcast: 叹
Podcast: 叹
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AI Study Notes for 叹
Quick Contrast
感叹 (gǎntàn) vs 叹息 (tànxī): Use 叹 when expressing a simple sigh or exclamation, while 感叹 emphasizes a deeper emotional response or admiration. 叹息 specifically refers to the act of sighing, often with a connotation of sadness.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 叹 in formal contexts, as it carries a more emotional weight and can be seen as informal. Common collocations include 叹气 (tànqì, to sigh) and 叹息 (tànxī, to exclaim). Remember that 叹 is often used to express a sense of longing or regret.
HSK Study Tips
Though not part of the official HSK vocabulary, 叹 is relevant for HSK 4 and beyond, where emotional expression becomes more nuanced. Focus on its usage in phrases and idiomatic expressions to enhance your fluency.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 叹 with 嘆 (tàn), which has a similar meaning but is less commonly used. To correct this, remember that 叹 is more about the act of sighing in a moment of emotion, while 嘆 can denote a broader sense of lamentation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 叹
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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 叹? 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 叹?
Decomposition of 叹
IDS Structure⿰口又
叹Full Character
=
口kou3
left
又you4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 叹?
How to say to sigh in Chinese
“to sigh” in Chinese is叹tàn
The character 叹 (tàn) means 'to sigh' or 'to exclaim.' It is often used to express emotions such as admiration or sadness. This character can be found in contexts where someone is reflecting on a situation or expressing a strong feeling, often accompanied by a vocal expression.
When to use 叹
Be cautious when using 叹 in formal contexts, as it carries a more emotional weight and can be seen as informal. Common collocations include 叹气 (tànqì, to sigh) and 叹息 (tànxī, to exclaim). Remember that 叹 is often used to express a sense of longing or regret.
叹 or something close to it
感叹 (gǎntàn) vs 叹息 (tànxī): Use 叹 when expressing a simple sigh or exclamation, while 感叹 emphasizes a deeper emotional response or admiration. 叹息 specifically refers to the act of sighing, often with a connotation of sadness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 叹 with 嘆 (tàn), which has a similar meaning but is less commonly used. To correct this, remember that 叹 is more about the act of sighing in a moment of emotion, while 嘆 can denote a broader sense of lamentation.
Write 叹
叹
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Practice writing 叹 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 叹
叹 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
