Meanings of 歎
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About 歎
Podcast: 歎
Podcast: 歎
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AI Study Notes for 歎
叹 (tàn) vs 哀叹 (āi tàn) — use 歎 for a general sigh, while 哀叹 specifically conveys a sigh of sorrow or lamentation.
This character is often used in literary or poetic contexts, so it's less common in everyday speech. Be mindful of its formal tone; in casual conversations, you might opt for simpler expressions of emotion. Common collocations include 歎息 (tàn xī, to sigh) and 歎服 (tàn fú, to admire).
While 歎 is not included in the HSK levels, learners should focus on recognizing similar emotional expressions. It connects well with other characters expressing feelings, such as 哀 (āi, to mourn) and 嗟 (jiē, to sigh).
Learners often confuse 歎 with similar-sounding characters like 感 (gǎn, to feel). A common error is to use 歎 in a casual context instead of a more straightforward expression of emotion; for example, saying '我觉得很 歎' instead of '我觉得很感动'.
Pronunciation of 歎
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Etymology of 歎
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Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 歎
- 1The meaning half欠 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half堇 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayyawn
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 歎? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 歎
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How to say to sigh; to admire in Chinese
“to sigh; to admire” in Chinese is歎
The character 歎 (tàn) primarily means 'to sigh,' expressing a deep emotion, often of sadness or longing. It can also convey admiration or appreciation, typically in a context where one reflects on something beautiful or impressive.
When to use 歎
This character is often used in literary or poetic contexts, so it's less common in everyday speech. Be mindful of its formal tone; in casual conversations, you might opt for simpler expressions of emotion. Common collocations include 歎息 (tàn xī, to sigh) and 歎服 (tàn fú, to admire).
歎 or something close to it
叹 (tàn) vs 哀叹 (āi tàn) — use 歎 for a general sigh, while 哀叹 specifically conveys a sigh of sorrow or lamentation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 歎 with similar-sounding characters like 感 (gǎn, to feel). A common error is to use 歎 in a casual context instead of a more straightforward expression of emotion; for example, saying '我觉得很 歎' instead of '我觉得很感动'.
Write 歎
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Practice writing 歎 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Cultural Notes for 歎
In Western cultures, a sigh might simply indicate boredom or frustration, while in Chinese culture, it often carries deeper emotional connotations, reflecting admiration or melancholy.
Word Family of 歎
Compound Meaning
What does 惊叹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 歎
The pronunciation is tàn, with a falling tone. Practice saying it with emphasis on the 't' sound.
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