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碳 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
碳tàncarbon (chemistry)HSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 石, rank #7476, Hard
碳tàncarbonHSK 7, n, 14 strokes, radical 石, rank #7476, Hard
tàn(tan4) T4
  1. 1carbon (chemistry)
  2. 2carbon
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March 24, 2026
碳tàn(tan4)

碳 (tàn) refers to carbon, a fundamental chemical element crucial for life and a key component in organic chemistry. It is commonly encountered in discussions about the environment, chemistry, and materials science. The term is often used in contexts related to carbon emissions, carbon dating, and various carbon compounds.

Strokes14Radical石Frequency#7476DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions about 碳 often arise in the context of environmental protection and climate change, reflecting a growing awareness of ecological issues within society. Initiatives aimed at reducing 碳排放 are becoming increasingly important in urban planning and policy.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'tan' (tàn) person who is made of carbon. The character 碳 combines the radical 石 (stone) indicating a material, with the phonetic component 'tan', linking it to the earthy, foundational presence of carbon in nature.

Meanings of 碳

tàn(tan4)
1carbon (chemistry)
2carbon
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 碳

碳Simplified
14Strokes
石Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7476Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 碳

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Podcast: 碳

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AI Study Notes for 碳

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'tan' (tàn) person who is made of carbon. The character 碳 combines the radical 石 (stone) indicating a material, with the phonetic component 'tan', linking it to the earthy, foundational presence of carbon in nature.

Usage Notes

碳 is typically used in scientific contexts, so it is considered a formal term. Be careful not to confuse it with other similar-sounding words. When discussing environmental issues, you might see collocations like '碳排放' (carbon emissions) or '碳中和' (carbon neutrality).

HSK Study Tips

碳 is not included in the HSK levels, but it connects with HSK vocabulary related to science and the environment. Students should focus on understanding its applications in discussions about ecology and chemistry, which may enhance their comprehension of related terms.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions about 碳 often arise in the context of environmental protection and climate change, reflecting a growing awareness of ecological issues within society. Initiatives aimed at reducing 碳排放 are becoming increasingly important in urban planning and policy.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 碳 in informal contexts where simpler terms might suffice. For example, saying '我需要碳' (I need carbon) in a casual chat is incorrect; instead, use it in specific discussions about environmental science.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 碳

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Etymology of 碳

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

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 炭 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

mineral

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 碳?

Decomposition of 碳

IDS Structure⿰石炭
碳Full Character
=
石dan4
left
炭tan4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 碳?

Write 碳

碳

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

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Grammar Patterns of 碳

碳 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 2 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 4

Complete the Sentence

____化合物氧化后必然会产生二氧化碳。

Carbon dioxide is a necessary result of the oxidation of carbon compounds.

Example Sentences for 碳 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
碳化合物氧化后必然会产生二氧化碳。

tàn huà hé wù yǎng huà hòu bì rán huì chǎn shēng èr yǎng huà tàn。

Carbon dioxide is a necessary result of the oxidation of carbon compounds.
2
原始的碳纤维材料很像布料。

yuán shǐ de tàn xiān wéi cái liào hěn xiàng bù liào。

In its untreated state the carbon fibre material is rather like cloth.
3
两种主要的燃烧产物是水蒸气和二氧化碳。

liǎng zhǒng zhǔ yào de rán shāo chǎn wù shì shuǐ zhēng qì hé èr yǎng huà tàn。

The two principal combustion products are water vapor and carbon dioxide.
4
最常用的方法是放射性碳定年法。

zuì cháng yòng de fāng fǎ shì fàng shè xìng tàn dìng nián fǎ。

The most frequently used method is radiocarbon dating.
5
运动员通常吃高碳水化合物食物.

yùn dòng yuán tōng cháng chī gāo tàn shuǐ huà hé wù shí wù.

Athletes usually eat a high carbohydrate diet.
6
食物由碳水化合物、蛋白质和脂肪构成。

shí wù yóu tàn shuǐ huà hé wù、 、 dàn bái zhì hé zhī fáng gòu。

Food is made up of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
7
碳、氢、氧化合形成碳水化合物和脂肪。

tàn、 、、 qīng 、 yǎng huà hé xíng chéng tàn shuǐ huà hé wù hé。

Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen combine chemically to form carbohydrates and fats.
8
食用多种碳水化合物食物、水果和蔬菜。

shí yòng duō zhǒng tàn shuǐ huà hé wù shí wù、 、 shuǐ guǒ hé shū。

Eat a wide variety of carbs, fruit, and vegetables.
9
糙米和其他谷物属非精制的碳水化合物。

cāo mǐ hé qí tā gǔ wù shǔ fēi jīng zhì de tàn shuǐ huà hé wù。

Unrefined carbohydrates include brown rice and other grains.
10
可分离的碳环化合物环内含七个或七个以下的碳.

kě fēn lí de tàn huán huà hé wù huán nèi hán qī gè huò qī gè yǐ xià de tàn.

Isolable carbocyclic compounds contain seven or fewer carbons in the cycle.

Cultural Notes for 碳

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, discussions about 碳 often arise in the context of environmental protection and climate change, reflecting a growing awareness of ecological issues within society. Initiatives aimed at reducing 碳排放 are becoming increasingly important in urban planning and policy.

Word Family of 碳

Words Containing This Character20
碳tàncarbon (chemistry)
二氧化碳èryǎnghuàtàncarbon dioxide CO2
一氧化碳carbon monoxide CO
碳酸carbonic acid
碳水化合物carbohydrate
碳酸钙calcium carbonate碳酸鈣
碳化物carbide
碳酸盐carbonate salt (chemistry)碳酸鹽
碳酸氢钠sodium bicarbonate碳酸氫鈉
碳酸钠soda碳酸鈉
碳氢化合物hydrocarbon碳氫化合物
聚碳酸酯polycarbonate
四氯化碳carbon tetrachloride
碳化硅silicon carbide
二硫化碳carbon disulfide
碳酸钾potassium carbonate碳酸鉀
碳酸岩carbonate rock (geology)
重碳酸盐bicarbonate重碳酸鹽
碳化钙calcium carbide CaC2碳化鈣
无定形碳amorphous carbon無定形碳
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 碳 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 碳

碳 is essential because it forms the backbone of all organic compounds, making it vital for life.