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March 24, 2026
瀾lán(lan2)
The character 瀾 (lán) refers to the concept of overflowing, especially in the context of water, such as ripples or waves. It often describes a state of movement or disturbance on the surface of a body of water, conveying a sense of fluidity and dynamism. This character is frequently used in literary contexts to evoke imagery related to nature and emotions.
Strokes20Radical氵Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, water imagery often symbolizes emotions and philosophical concepts, with characters like 瀾 embodying the beauty and complexity of nature. This connection to water reflects the cultural appreciation for harmony and flow in both nature and life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large wave (瀾) crashing against the shore, creating ripples that overflow onto the beach. The character's radical '水' (water) suggests its connection to bodies of water, while the phonetic component '蘭' (lán) reminds you of the sound. Picture the wave's motion as it spills over, linking the character's meaning to its form.
Meanings of 瀾
lán(lan2)
1overflowing; ripples, waves
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 瀾
瀾Simplified
20Strokes
氵Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 瀾
Podcast: 瀾
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AI Study Notes for 瀾
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large wave (瀾) crashing against the shore, creating ripples that overflow onto the beach. The character's radical '水' (water) suggests its connection to bodies of water, while the phonetic component '蘭' (lán) reminds you of the sound. Picture the wave's motion as it spills over, linking the character's meaning to its form.
Usage Notes
When using 瀾, it’s important to be mindful of context; it often appears in poetic or literary expressions rather than everyday conversation. Common collocations include terms related to nature, such as '海瀾' (ocean waves). Be cautious with the tone; mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 瀾 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to water-related terms found in lower levels, such as 水 (water) and 波 (wave). Focus on recognizing its usage in literary texts, which can enhance your understanding of metaphorical language in Chinese.
Cultural Note
In Chinese poetry, water imagery often symbolizes emotions and philosophical concepts, with characters like 瀾 embodying the beauty and complexity of nature. This connection to water reflects the cultural appreciation for harmony and flow in both nature and life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 瀾 with related characters like 波 (wave) due to their similar meanings. For example, saying '我喜欢波' (I like waves) when they mean to express an appreciation for the broader concept of water movements can lead to a misunderstanding; instead, they might use '我喜欢瀾'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 瀾
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Cultural Notes for 瀾
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese poetry, water imagery often symbolizes emotions and philosophical concepts, with characters like 瀾 embodying the beauty and complexity of nature. This connection to water reflects the cultural appreciation for harmony and flow in both nature and life.
Word Family of 瀾
Words Containing This Character9
波澜bōlánbillows波瀾
力挽狂澜to pull strongly against a crazy tide (idiom); fig. to try hard to save a desperate crisis力挽狂瀾
澜lánswelling water瀾
推波助澜to encourage sth to get bigger推波助瀾
杨澜Yang Lan (1968-), Chinese media proprietor, journalist, and talk show hostess楊瀾
波澜壮阔surging forward with great momentum波瀾壯闊
澜沧江Lancang River of Qinghai and Yunnan, the upper reaches of Mekong River 湄公河[MéigōngHé] of Southeast Asia瀾滄江
澜沧县Lancang Lahuzu autonomous county in Pu'er 普洱[Pǔ'ěr], Yunnan瀾滄縣
澜沧拉祜族自治县Lancang Lahuzu Autonomous County in Pu'er 普洱[Pǔ'ěr], Yunnan瀾滄拉祜族自治縣
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 波澜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 瀾
The correct pronunciation is 'lán' with a rising tone.
It's primarily used in literary contexts, so it may not be suitable for everyday dialogue.
You can explore words like 水 (water), 河 (river), and 波 (wave) for more context.
