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案 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
案
àn
(legal) case
n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #908, Easy
案
àn
incident
n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #908, Easy
案
àn
record
n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #908, Easy
案
àn
file
n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #908, Easy
案
àn
table
n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #908, Easy
案
àn
file, legal case; bench, table
n, 10 strokes, radical 木, rank #908, Easy
àn(an4)an T4
1(legal) case
2incident
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March 24, 2026
案àn(an4)
The character 案 (àn) primarily refers to a legal case or incident, often used in contexts related to law and legal documents. It can also denote a table or a desk, indicating a surface where records or files are kept. The dual meanings reflect its use in both formal legal settings and everyday life.
Strokes10Radical木Frequency#908DifficultyEasy
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, legal proceedings are often formal and structured, with 案 being a key term in the judicial system. The character is also used in traditional Chinese furniture, emphasizing the importance of tables in social and business interactions.
Memory tip
Imagine a large, sturdy table (the '案') where lawyers gather to discuss important cases (à). Picture the bench where judges sit, surrounded by files and records—this visual links the character's shape (木 for wood, suggesting a table) to its meaning.
Meanings of 案
àn(an4)
1(legal) case
2incident
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
Play it, then pick what 案 means.
About 案
案Simplified
10Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#908Frequency Rank
Podcast: 案
Podcast: 案
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AI study notes for 案
Quick Contrast
案 (àn) vs 例 (lì) — use 案 for legal cases or incidents, while 例 refers to examples or instances.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of using 案 in the correct context; it is often used in formal legal discussions rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include '案件' (case) and '法律案件' (legal case). Remember, the tone is crucial as mispronouncing it may lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 案 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects well with other legal terms and vocabulary in advanced studies. Focus on understanding its usage in legal contexts and its role in compound words to enhance comprehension.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 案 with 案件, using it incorrectly in phrases like '我有一个案' instead of '我有一个案件' (I have a case). Ensure you use 案 in appropriate contexts related to law or as a table.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 案
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 案 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
案 = 木 + 安. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 案
IDS Structure⿱安木
案Full character
=
安An1
top
木Mu4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 案?
How to say (legal) case in Chinese
“(legal) case” in Chinese is案àn
The character 案 (àn) primarily refers to a legal case or incident, often used in contexts related to law and legal documents. It can also denote a table or a desk, indicating a surface where records or files are kept. The dual meanings reflect its use in both formal legal settings and everyday life.
When to use 案
Be mindful of using 案 in the correct context; it is often used in formal legal discussions rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include '案件' (case) and '法律案件' (legal case). Remember, the tone is crucial as mispronouncing it may lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.
案 or something close to it
案 (àn) vs 例 (lì) — use 案 for legal cases or incidents, while 例 refers to examples or instances.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 案 with 案件, using it incorrectly in phrases like '我有一个案' instead of '我有一个案件' (I have a case). Ensure you use 案 in appropriate contexts related to law or as a table.
Write 案
案
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Practice writing 案 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 案
案 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 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.
The matter was remitted to the justices for a rehearing.
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Cultural Notes for 案
💡Did you know?
‘案’字的左边是‘木’字旁，表示与木材有关，这与古代用木材制作法庭桌子有关。
Word Family of 案
Words containing this character20
案ànincident
案子ànzilong table
方案fāngànplan
案件ànjiàncase
答案dá’ànanswer
档案dàng’ànfile檔案
草案cǎo’àndraft (legislation, proposal etc)
谋杀案móushā’ànmurder case謀殺案
作案zuò’ànto commit a crime
案例ànlìcase (law)
提案tí’ànproposal
图案tú’àndesign圖案
法案fǎ’ànbill
办案bàn’ànto handle a case辦案
报案bào’ànto report a case to the authorities報案
立案lì’ànto register (to an official organism)
破案pò’ànto solve a case
结案jié’ànto wind up結案
案发ànfāto occur (of a crime)案發
备案bèi’ànto file備案
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 案
What does 案子 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 案
Common phrases with 案 include '案件' (case), '案子' (case or matter), and '案发' (incident occurrence). These phrases are often used in legal discussions to refer to specific cases or incidents.
While 案 (àn) refers to a case or record, 案例 (ànlì) specifically means 'case example' or 'case study.' 案例 is often used in educational or analytical contexts to discuss specific instances of cases for learning or reference.
案 (àn) can refer to a legal case, an incident, or a record. It is commonly used in legal contexts to denote a case file or documentation related to legal matters. Additionally, it can also mean 'table' in certain contexts.
You can use 案 (àn) in a sentence by referring to a specific legal case, such as '这起案正在审理中' (This case is currently under trial). It can also be used in contexts like '案卷' (case file) to indicate documents related to legal proceedings.
Common phrases include '案件' (case) and '档案' (file or record).
Yes, while it is often used in legal contexts, it can also refer to tables or desks in casual settings.
While 案 refers specifically to cases or files, 记录 (jìlù) means 'record' in a broader sense.
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