Meanings of 胆
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Podcast: 胆
Podcast: 胆
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AI Study Notes for 胆
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pronunciation of 胆
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Jason Explains 胆 to You
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Learning Lab
Knowing 胆 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 胆
Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 旦 represents the sound. Simplified form of 膽.
flesh
Origin
胆 = ⺼ + 旦. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 胆
Parts
Which of these is part of 胆?
How to say the gall in Chinese
“the gall” in Chinese is胆
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
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Practice writing 胆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
她真够大____的，竟抓住了我的衣袖。
Bold as you please, she grabbed me by the sleeve.
Common Confusions with 胆
Similar pronunciation and structure but different meanings.
Similar sound but different meaning and usage.
Which one
Which one means “the gall”?
Usage Notes for 胆
The word 胆 can mean both 'courage' and 'gall'. Context is crucial to determine the intended meaning.
他真有胆！
He is truly courageous!
他真有胆量！
He really has guts!
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他真有____！
He is truly courageous!
Example Sentences for 胆 (10)
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Word Family of 胆
Words with 胆
What does 大胆 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 胆
You can say '他真有胆!' (Tā zhēn yǒu dǎn!) which means 'He really has guts!'.
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