unknown, 7 strokes, radical 土, rank #43721, Very Hard
tān(tan1) T1
1collapse; landslide
2to collapse
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March 24, 2026
坍tān(tan1)
The character 坍 (tān) means to collapse or fall down, often used in contexts such as buildings or structures that have fallen apart. It can also refer to landslides, indicating a sudden and often disastrous event. The word conveys a sense of instability and failure.
Strokes7Radical土Frequency#43721DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In China, landslides are a common natural disaster due to the mountainous terrain, and the character 坍 is often used in news reports and discussions about safety measures in construction and urban planning.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall building that 'tān' (崩) suddenly collapses. The radical 土 (earth) at the bottom of 坍 reminds you of the ground that the building was standing on, emphasizing that it has fallen to the earth.
Meanings of 坍
tān(tan1)
1collapse; landslide
2to collapse
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 坍
坍Simplified
7Strokes
土Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 坍
Podcast: 坍
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AI Study Notes for 坍
Quick Contrast
塌 (tā) vs 崩 (bēng) — use 坍 (tān) for gradual or structural collapse, while 崩 (bēng) refers to a sudden breaking or crumbling.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tall building that 'tān' (崩) suddenly collapses. The radical 土 (earth) at the bottom of 坍 reminds you of the ground that the building was standing on, emphasizing that it has fallen to the earth.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 坍 with similar characters like 塌 (tā), which can also mean to collapse but is used more generally for structures. This character is more formal and often used in written contexts, such as news reports about disasters.
HSK Study Tips
Although 坍 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other HSK Level 3 verbs related to movement or change like 走 (zǒu, to walk) and 跑 (pǎo, to run). Focus on the context in which collapse scenarios are discussed to better understand its usage.
Cultural Note
In China, landslides are a common natural disaster due to the mountainous terrain, and the character 坍 is often used in news reports and discussions about safety measures in construction and urban planning.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 坍 with 塌. For example, saying '这座大楼塌了' is acceptable in informal speech, but using 坍 in writing conveys a more serious tone. Always check context to choose the appropriate character.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 坍
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Grammar Patterns of 坍
坍 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
墙____塌了，露出砌在里面的维多利亚时代的壁炉。
The wall caved in to reveal a blocked-up Victorian fireplace.
Example Sentences for 坍 (10)
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1
墙坍塌了，露出砌在里面的维多利亚时代的壁炉。
qiáng tān tā le， ， lòu chū qì zài lǐ miàn de wéi duō lì yà shí dài de bì。
The wall caved in to reveal a blocked-up Victorian fireplace.
2
那座房子太破旧，都开始坍塌了。
nà zuò fáng zǐ tài pò jiù， ， dū kāi shǐ tān tā。
The house is so old and crummy it's falling apart.
3
房顶在雪的重压下突然坍塌下来。
fáng dǐng zài xuě de zhòng yā xià tū rán tān tā xià lái。
The roof collapsed under the weight of snow.
4
屋顶被雪压坍了.
wū dǐng bèi xuě yā tān le.
The roof collapsed under the weight of the snow.
5
他们脚下的一段楼梯坍塌时,5名消防队员险些丧命。
tā mén jiǎo xià de yī duàn lóu tī tān tā shí,5 ,5 míng xiāo fáng duì yuán xiǎn xiē sāng。
Five firemen narrowly escaped death when a staircase collapsed beneath their feet.
6
三楼地板在机器的重压下坍了下去.
sān lóu dì bǎn zài jī qì de zhòng yā xià tān le xià qù.
The second floor gave way under the weight of the machines.
During collapse, the dark cloud " fragments " into a series of dense clumps.
10
洞穴的顶部坍了下来, 砸在矿工身上.
dòng xué de dǐng bù tān le xià lái, , zá zài kuàng gōng shēn.
The roof of the cave dropped in on the miners, trapping them.
Cultural Notes for 坍
🏮Cultural insight
In China, landslides are a common natural disaster due to the mountainous terrain, and the character 坍 is often used in news reports and discussions about safety measures in construction and urban planning.
Word Family of 坍
Words Containing This Character5
坍塌to collapse
坍tānto collapse
倒坍to collapse (of building)
坍方to collapse
崩坍landslide
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 坍塌 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 坍
You can say '这座大楼坍塌了', meaning 'This building has collapsed.'
Yes, 塌 (tā) is a synonym but is more commonly used in colloquial contexts.
Primarily, 坍 is used in formal contexts, especially in writing about disasters.
