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March 24, 2026
聃dān(dan1)
The character 聃 (dān) refers to 'ears without rims,' highlighting a specific anatomical feature. It can also serve as a nickname, often used in literary contexts. It carries a unique nuance, often associated with perceptions of listening or attentiveness.
Strokes11Radical耳Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the ears are often associated with wisdom and the ability to listen attentively, which reflects the importance placed on listening in communication.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pair of ears that are so attentive, they don't need rims to catch every sound around them. The character 聃 has the radical for 'ear' (耳) on the left, which visually reinforces its meaning related to ears.
Meanings of 聃
dān(dan1)
1ears without rims; a nickname
2ears without rim
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 聃
聃Simplified
11Strokes
耳Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 聃
Podcast: 聃
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AI Study Notes for 聃
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pair of ears that are so attentive, they don't need rims to catch every sound around them. The character 聃 has the radical for 'ear' (耳) on the left, which visually reinforces its meaning related to ears.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is using 聃 in everyday conversation, as it is more appropriate in literary or poetic contexts. Be mindful of the formal register when using this character, as it may not be well understood in casual dialogue.
HSK Study Tips
Although 聃 is not directly included in HSK levels, it can help learners understand the connection between characters that involve the ear radical (耳), such as 聞 (wén, to hear) and 耳 (ěr, ear). Focus on the radical to unlock related vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the ears are often associated with wisdom and the ability to listen attentively, which reflects the importance placed on listening in communication.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 聃 with other ear-related characters, using it incorrectly in contexts where simpler terms like 耳 (ěr) would suffice. For example, saying '我有聃' (wǒ yǒu dān) instead of '我有耳' (wǒ yǒu ěr) for 'I have ears.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 聃
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Cultural Notes for 聃
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the ears are often associated with wisdom and the ability to listen attentively, which reflects the importance placed on listening in communication.
Word Family of 聃
Words Containing This Character2
老聃another name for Laozi 老子[Lǎozǐ]
聃dānears without rim
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 老聃 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 聃
It literally means 'ears without rims,' which describes a specific type of ear anatomy.
No, 聃 is more commonly used in literary or poetic contexts rather than in casual conversation.
Yes, characters like 聞 (wén) and 耳 (ěr) also relate to ears and hearing.
