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箪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
箪dāna small bamboo basket for ricezg, 14 strokes, radical ⺮
箪dānround basket for cooked riceunknown, 14 strokes, radical ⺮
dān(dan1) T1
  1. 1a small bamboo basket for rice
  2. 2round basket for cooked rice
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

箪(簞)dān(dan1)

The character 箪 (dān) refers to a small bamboo basket traditionally used for holding rice or other food items. It is often associated with Chinese dining culture, particularly in the context of serving rice at meals. This term is less commonly used in modern contexts but remains relevant in historical and cultural discussions about traditional Chinese utensils.

Strokes14Radical⺮
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the 箪 is more than just a utensil; it symbolizes hospitality and the importance of rice in meals. The act of serving rice from a 箪 is often associated with warmth and family gatherings.

Memory Tip

Imagine a small basket made of bamboo, which is shaped like the character 箪. Picture it filled with steaming rice, representing nourishment and home-cooked meals. The 'dān' sound can be linked to 'dinner,' as both signify a gathering around rice.

Meanings of 箪

dān(dan1)
1a small bamboo basket for rice
2round basket for cooked rice
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 箪

箪Simplified
簞Traditional
14Strokes
⺮Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 箪

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Podcast: 箪

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AI Study Notes for 箪

Usage Notes

The term 箪 is somewhat archaic and may not be widely recognized in everyday conversation. It's important to use it in appropriate contexts, such as when discussing traditional Chinese cuisine or historical texts. Be cautious with tone; the correct pronunciation is crucial for clarity.

HSK Study Tips

Since 箪 is not included in the HSK levels, learners should focus on related terms for dining and food. Understanding the context of traditional utensils can enhance vocabulary about cultural practices. Consider exploring other food-related words to build a comprehensive vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 箪 with more common terms for baskets or containers, such as 筐 (kuāng) or 盒 (hé). A common mistake is using 箪 in everyday conversation without context; for example, saying '我买了一个箪' ('I bought a basket') may confuse native speakers who expect a more common term.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 箪

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Etymology of 箪

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

bamboo

Semantic (meaning)⺮
+
Phonetic (sound)单
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 箪

  1. 1The meaning half⺮ carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half单 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaybamboo
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 箪? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 箪?

Decomposition of 箪

IDS Structure⿱⺮单
箪Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
单dan1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 箪?

How to say a small bamboo basket for rice in Chinese

“a small bamboo basket for rice” in Chinese is箪dān

The character 箪 (dān) refers to a small bamboo basket traditionally used for holding rice or other food items. It is often associated with Chinese dining culture, particularly in the context of serving rice at meals. This term is less commonly used in modern contexts but remains relevant in historical and cultural discussions about traditional Chinese utensils.

When to use 箪

The term 箪 is somewhat archaic and may not be widely recognized in everyday conversation. It's important to use it in appropriate contexts, such as when discussing traditional Chinese cuisine or historical texts. Be cautious with tone; the correct pronunciation is crucial for clarity.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 箪 with more common terms for baskets or containers, such as 筐 (kuāng) or 盒 (hé). A common mistake is using 箪 in everyday conversation without context; for example, saying '我买了一个箪' ('I bought a basket') may confuse native speakers who expect a more common term.

Write 箪

箪

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 箪

Words Containing This Character2
箪dānround basket for cooked rice簞
箪食壶浆to give troops a hearty welcome簞食壺漿
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 箪 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 箪

No, 箪 is considered somewhat outdated and is primarily used in literary or historical contexts.

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