inner container (e.g. bladder of a football, inner container of a thermos)
HSK 5, unknown, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #5765, Hard
dǎn(dan3) T3
1the gall
2the nerve
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March 24, 2026
胆(膽)dǎn(dan3)
The character 胆 (dǎn) primarily refers to 'gall' or 'courage,' often used to describe a person's bravery or nerve in facing challenges. It can also denote the gallbladder, an organ involved in digestion, highlighting its dual meaning in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
Strokes9Radical⺼Frequency#5765DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 胆 (courage) is highly valued, often associated with historical figures who displayed bravery in battle or adversity. The phrase '有胆量' (yǒu dǎnliàng - to have guts) is often used to praise someone's bravery.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small, brave gallbladder filled with courage. The character 胆 looks like a container (the outer part) holding something important inside (the inner part), just like how courage is held within a person’s heart. Picture the gallbladder being the gutsy hero in a story.
Meanings of 胆
dǎn(dan3)
1the gall
2the nerve
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 胆
胆Simplified
膽Traditional
9Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5765Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 胆
Podcast: 胆
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AI Study Notes for 胆
Quick Contrast
勇气 (yǒngqì) vs 胆量 (dǎnliàng) — choose 胆 when emphasizing a person's nerve or courage in a challenging situation, while 胆量 focuses more on the measure of one's bravery.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 胆 (dǎn) with other similar-sounding words; for example, '胆小' (dǎn xiǎo) means 'timid' or 'cowardly,' showing the opposite of courage. This word is generally used in informal contexts when discussing bravery or nerve, so avoid using it in overly formal situations.
HSK Study Tips
Although 胆 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other words related to bravery and emotions, such as '勇气' (yǒngqì - courage) that may appear in higher levels. Focus on understanding its usage in phrases to enhance vocabulary related to feelings and traits.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 胆 in formal contexts where more refined words like 勇气 (yǒngqì) would be appropriate. For example, saying '在会议上，我没有胆' (Zài huìyì shàng, wǒ méiyǒu dǎn - I had no guts in the meeting) sounds informal and may not convey the intended seriousness.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 胆
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Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 旦 represents the sound. Simplified form of 膽.
1The meaning half⺼ carries the sense.
2The sound half旦 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 胆? 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 胆?
Decomposition of 胆
IDS Structure⿰⺼旦
胆Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
旦dan4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 胆?
How to say the gall in Chinese
“the gall” in Chinese is胆dǎn
The character 胆 (dǎn) primarily refers to 'gall' or 'courage,' often used to describe a person's bravery or nerve in facing challenges. It can also denote the gallbladder, an organ involved in digestion, highlighting its dual meaning in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
When to use 胆
Be careful not to confuse 胆 (dǎn) with other similar-sounding words; for example, '胆小' (dǎn xiǎo) means 'timid' or 'cowardly,' showing the opposite of courage. This word is generally used in informal contexts when discussing bravery or nerve, so avoid using it in overly formal situations.
胆 or something close to it
勇气 (yǒngqì) vs 胆量 (dǎnliàng) — choose 胆 when emphasizing a person's nerve or courage in a challenging situation, while 胆量 focuses more on the measure of one's bravery.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 胆 in formal contexts where more refined words like 勇气 (yǒngqì) would be appropriate. For example, saying '在会议上，我没有胆' (Zài huìyì shàng, wǒ méiyǒu dǎn - I had no guts in the meeting) sounds informal and may not convey the intended seriousness.
Write 胆
胆
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Practice writing 胆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 胆
胆 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 7 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.
