unknown, 17 strokes, radical 木, rank #38971, Very Hard
檀
tán
purple-red
unknown, 17 strokes, radical 木, rank #38971, Very Hard
tán(Tan2) T2
1sandalwood, hardwood; surname
2purple-red
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March 24, 2026
檀tán(Tan2)
檀 (tán) primarily refers to sandalwood, a fragrant wood often used in incense and traditional Chinese medicine. It can also denote hardwood in general and is a common surname in China. The character evokes a sense of luxury and cultural significance, especially in contexts involving traditional crafts and practices.
Strokes17Radical木Frequency#38971DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Sandalwood has a deep cultural significance in Chinese history, often associated with meditation and spirituality, particularly in Buddhist practices. It is frequently used in the making of incense and ceremonial artifacts.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall, majestic tree with delicate branches, symbolizing sandalwood's beauty and aroma. The left side of 檀 is 木 (mù), meaning wood, and the right side is 蛋 (dàn), which you can think of as 'egg'—a fragile and valuable object. Picture a precious wooden egg made of sandalwood to help remember both the pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 檀
tán(Tan2)
1sandalwood, hardwood; surname
2purple-red
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 檀
檀Simplified
17Strokes
木Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 檀
Podcast: 檀
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AI Study Notes for 檀
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tall, majestic tree with delicate branches, symbolizing sandalwood's beauty and aroma. The left side of 檀 is 木 (mù), meaning wood, and the right side is 蛋 (dàn), which you can think of as 'egg'—a fragile and valuable object. Picture a precious wooden egg made of sandalwood to help remember both the pronunciation and meaning.
Usage Notes
檀 is used both in formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing types of wood or cultural references involving sandalwood. Common collocations include '檀香' (sandalwood incense). Be careful with the tone; it is pronounced with a rising tone, which can be confused with other words if mispronounced.
HSK Study Tips
While 檀 is not included in HSK levels, it connects with vocabulary related to nature and materials, such as 木 (wood) and 香 (fragrance). Students should focus on recognizing its components and how it relates to other characters involving wood or plants.
Cultural Note
Sandalwood has a deep cultural significance in Chinese history, often associated with meditation and spirituality, particularly in Buddhist practices. It is frequently used in the making of incense and ceremonial artifacts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 檀 with other wood-related characters like 树 (shù, tree) or 木 (mù, wood). A common mistake is using it in contexts where generic wood terms are more appropriate, such as saying '我喜欢檀木' (I like sandalwood) instead of simply '我喜欢木头' (I like wood).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 檀
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Grammar Patterns of 檀
檀 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 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 3
Complete the Sentence
他显然指的是裘里斯 、 璐西 、 约翰呢-方____和迈克尔的保镖亚伯特-奈里.
He obviously meant Jules, Lucy, Johnny Fontane and Michael's bodyguard, Albert Neri.
Example Sentences for 檀 (3)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他显然指的是裘里斯 、 璐西 、 约翰呢-方檀和迈克尔的保镖亚伯特-奈里.
tā xiǎn rán zhǐ de shì qiú lǐ sī、 、 lù、 xī 、 yuē- hàn ne - fāng tán hé mài kè ěr de bǎo biāo- yà bó.
He obviously meant Jules, Lucy, Johnny Fontane and Michael's bodyguard, Albert Neri.
2
先请约翰呢-方檀和尼诺两个同咱们一道吃饭.
xiān qǐng yuē hàn ne- - fāng tán hé ní nuò liǎng gè tóng zán mén yī dào chī.
Johnny Fontane shrugged. " The picture is finished.
Cultural Notes for 檀
🏮Cultural insight
Sandalwood has a deep cultural significance in Chinese history, often associated with meditation and spirituality, particularly in Buddhist practices. It is frequently used in the making of incense and ceremonial artifacts.
Word Family of 檀
Words Containing This Character6
檀香山Honolulu, capital of Hawaii
檀tánsandalwood
檀香sandalwood
紫檀red sandalwood
檀越(Buddhism) benefactor (designation of a lay person by a monk)
檀君Tangun, legendary founder of Korea in 2333 BC
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 檀香山 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 檀
Sandalwood is valued for its fragrance and is often used in incense for religious and meditative practices.
It is more commonly used in specific contexts related to wood or cultural references rather than everyday conversation.
Focus on the context and pronunciation; 檀 specifically refers to sandalwood and has a unique character structure.
