Mandarin TempleMandarin TempleCome for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
烷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
烷wánalkanen, 11 strokes, radical 火, rank #29019, Very Hard
wán(wan2)wan T2
  1. 1alkane
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

烷wán(wan2)

The character 烷 (wán) refers to alkanes, which are a group of hydrocarbons characterized by single bonds between carbon atoms. Commonly found in organic chemistry, they are saturated compounds used in fuels and various chemical processes. Understanding this term is crucial for students studying chemistry or related fields.

Strokes11Radical火Frequency#29019DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In China, the study of chemistry is integral to education, especially in industries like petrochemicals, where alkanes play a significant role. Understanding terms like 烷 (wán) is important for students pursuing careers in science and technology.

Memory Tip

Think of 烷 (wán) as 'waning' bonds between carbon atoms in a saturated structure. The character 烷 has the radical 火 (fire), which can remind you of the energy produced by burning alkanes, such as in fuels.

Meanings of 烷

wán(wan2)
1alkane
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 烷 means.

About 烷

烷Simplified
11Strokes
火Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 烷

JasonAmy

Podcast: 烷

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 烷

Usage Notes

In scientific contexts, 烷 (wán) is typically used in chemistry discussions. Be cautious with pronunciation; the tone is crucial as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. It often appears in compound terms like 烷烃 (wántīng), meaning 'alkane'.

HSK Study Tips

While 烷 (wán) is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is relevant for learners interested in scientific terminology. Focus on its use in chemistry-related contexts and practice forming phrases with it to enhance your vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 烷 (wán) with other similar-sounding words. For example, they might mistakenly say 'wǎn' (晚, meaning 'evening') instead of 'wán'. Always remember to use the correct tone.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 烷

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 烷 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 烷 to You

Let me explain 烷 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 烷 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 烷?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 烷 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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 烷

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 火 represents the meaning and 完 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

fire

Semantic (meaning)火
+
Phonetic (sound)完
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

烷 = 火 + 完. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 烷

IDS Structure⿰火完
烷Full Character
=
火Huo3
left
完wan2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 烷?

How to say alkane in Chinese

“alkane” in Chinese is烷wán

The character 烷 (wán) refers to alkanes, which are a group of hydrocarbons characterized by single bonds between carbon atoms. Commonly found in organic chemistry, they are saturated compounds used in fuels and various chemical processes. Understanding this term is crucial for students studying chemistry or related fields.

When to use 烷

In scientific contexts, 烷 (wán) is typically used in chemistry discussions. Be cautious with pronunciation; the tone is crucial as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. It often appears in compound terms like 烷烃 (wántīng), meaning 'alkane'.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 烷 (wán) with other similar-sounding words. For example, they might mistakenly say 'wǎn' (晚, meaning 'evening') instead of 'wán'. Always remember to use the correct tone.

Write 烷

烷

Practice writing 烷 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 烷

烷 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

你的发动机很适合烧76号辛____汽油。

Your engine can run happily on 76 octane petrol.

Example Sentences for 烷 (6)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你的发动机很适合烧76号辛烷汽油。

nǐ de fā dòng jī hěn shì hé shāo76 76 hào xīn wán qì。

Your engine can run happily on 76 octane petrol.
2
这种燃料的例子是一甲肼和二硼烷.

zhè zhǒng rán liào de lì zǐ shì yī jiǎ jǐng hé èr péng wán.

Examples of such fuels are monomethyl - hydrazine and diborane.
3
从苯乙腈制取苯基硝基甲烷就用这个方法.

cóng běn yǐ jīng zhì qǔ běn jī xiāo jī jiǎ wán jiù yòng zhè gè fāng fǎ.

This is a generally known method for obtaining phenylnitromethane from benzyl cyanide.
4
R ” 是取化基,如乙氧基 、 甲氧基及它们的环氧和烷氧同系物或卤基.

R” R ” shì qǔ huà, jī , rú yǐ、 yǎng jī 、 jiǎ yǎng jī jí tā mén de huán yǎng hé wán yǎng tóng xì wù.

R " is a replaceable function , e . g . acetoxy, methoxy, their acyloxy and alkoxy homologs or halo.
5
硅烷偶联剂亦用于许多通用的砂子环氧型复合材料中.

guī wán ǒu lián jì yì yòng yú xǔ duō tōng yòng de shā zǐ huán yǎng xíng fù hé cái liào zhōng.

Silane coupling agents are also used in many commercial sand - epoxy - type composites.
6
此反应得到的产物为二烷基苯基丙二酸酯的碱金属盐衍生物.

cǐ fǎn yīng dé dào de chǎn wù wéi èr wán jī běn jī bǐng èr suān zhǐ de jiǎn jīn shǔ yán yǎn shēng wù.

The immediate products of this reaction are alkali - metal derivatives of dialkyl phenylmalonates.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 烷?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 烷

Words Containing This Character10
甲烷methane CH4
烷wánalkane
丙烷propane
烷基alkyl
丁烷butane
乙烷ethane (C2H6)
烷烃alkane烷烴
辛烷值octane rating
烷基苯alkyl benzene
环烷烃cycloalkane環烷烴
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 烷

What does 甲烷 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 烷

Alkanes are primarily used as fuels in various forms, including gasoline and natural gas, and are also utilized in the production of chemicals.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 烷?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab