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March 24, 2026
肝gān(gan1)
The character 肝 (gān) refers specifically to the liver, an essential organ in the body responsible for various metabolic processes, detoxification, and synthesis of proteins. It is commonly used in medical contexts and discussions about health, nutrition, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In TCM, the liver is associated with the regulation of emotions and the smooth flow of vital energy (qi).
Strokes7Radical⺼Frequency#6689DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the liver is not only seen as a physical organ but also symbolizes emotions and mental health, often linked to anger management in TCM. Practices like acupuncture may target the liver to promote emotional balance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant 'can' (gān) that stores all the 'liver' functions. The character 肝 looks like a person with an upturned arm, symbolizing the liver's role in processing and managing bodily functions, while the 'can' represents storage and processing.
Meanings of 肝
gān(gan1)
1liver
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 肝
肝Simplified
7Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
叶Measure Word
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateBCT✓
Podcast: 肝
Podcast: 肝
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AI Study Notes for 肝
Quick Contrast
肾 (shèn) refers to the kidneys, which are different organs with distinct functions, while 肝 (gān) specifically denotes the liver.
Usage Notes
When using 肝, be mindful of its medical context; it's often paired with other terms related to health, such as 肝病 (gān bìng, liver disease). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words; ensure you use the correct tone, as mispronunciation can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
While 肝 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects with vocabulary about health and anatomy, which are often seen in higher levels. Focus on related medical terms and their usage in context to build a stronger vocabulary base.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 肝 with similar-sounding words like 赶 (gǎn, to catch up). Be careful to practice the tones to avoid such mistakes, as they can lead to completely different meanings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 肝
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Drill the tone of 肝 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 干 represents the sound.
1The meaning half⺼ carries the sense.
2The sound half干 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayflesh
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 肝? 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 肝?
Decomposition of 肝
IDS Structure⿰⺼干
肝Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
干gan1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 肝?
How to say liver in Chinese
“liver” in Chinese is肝gān
The character 肝 (gān) refers specifically to the liver, an essential organ in the body responsible for various metabolic processes, detoxification, and synthesis of proteins. It is commonly used in medical contexts and discussions about health, nutrition, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In TCM, the liver is associated with the regulation of emotions and the smooth flow of vital energy (qi).
When to use 肝
When using 肝, be mindful of its medical context; it's often paired with other terms related to health, such as 肝病 (gān bìng, liver disease). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words; ensure you use the correct tone, as mispronunciation can lead to misunderstandings.
肝 or something close to it
肾 (shèn) refers to the kidneys, which are different organs with distinct functions, while 肝 (gān) specifically denotes the liver.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 肝 with similar-sounding words like 赶 (gǎn, to catch up). Be careful to practice the tones to avoid such mistakes, as they can lead to completely different meanings.
Write 肝
肝
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Practice writing 肝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 肝
肝 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
Complete the Sentence
他们要是觉得受到了怠慢，就会大动____火。
They get angry if they think they are being treated disrespectfully.
Example Sentences for 肝 (10)
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1
他们要是觉得受到了怠慢，就会大动肝火。
tā mén yào shì jué dé shòu dào le dài màn， ， jiù huì dà dòng gān。
They get angry if they think they are being treated disrespectfully.
2
肝脏和肾脏的维生素A含量尤其丰富。
gān zāng hé shèn zāng de wéi shēng sùA A hán liáng yóu qí fēng。
Liver and kidney are particularly rich in vitamin A.
