Meanings of 膽
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About 膽
Podcast: 膽
Podcast: 膽
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AI Study Notes for 膽
胆 (dǎn) refers specifically to the gallbladder, while 膽 (dǎn) is a variant character that can convey the same meanings but is less commonly used in modern contexts.
Be cautious with tones, as mispronouncing 膽 can lead to confusion with other similar sounding words. It's often used in informal contexts when discussing bravery, but can also appear in more serious discussions about health. Common collocations include '膽量' (dǎnliàng - courage) and '膽識' (dǎnshǐ - bravery and insight).
While 膽 is not included in the HSK level vocabulary, it connects to HSK 3-4 words related to health and emotions, such as '心' (xīn - heart) and '勇敢' (yǒnggǎn - brave). Students should focus on the nuances of courage and how it is expressed in different phrases.
Learners often confuse 膽 with other characters like '单' (dān - single) due to similar pronunciation. Remember that 膽 specifically refers to gallbladder or courage, while '单' relates to singularity.
Pronunciation of 膽
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Etymology of 膽
Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 旦 represents the sound. Simplified form of 膽.
flesh
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 膽
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詹 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.
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Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 膽
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How to say gallbladder; gall, guts, courage in Chinese
“gallbladder; gall, guts, courage” in Chinese is膽
The character 膽 (dǎn) primarily refers to the gallbladder, an organ involved in digestion. However, it is also used metaphorically to denote courage or guts in various contexts, such as expressing bravery or boldness. This dual meaning is common in phrases that emphasize one's heart or spirit.
When to use 膽
Be cautious with tones, as mispronouncing 膽 can lead to confusion with other similar sounding words. It's often used in informal contexts when discussing bravery, but can also appear in more serious discussions about health. Common collocations include '膽量' (dǎnliàng - courage) and '膽識' (dǎnshǐ - bravery and insight).
膽 or something close to it
胆 (dǎn) refers specifically to the gallbladder, while 膽 (dǎn) is a variant character that can convey the same meanings but is less commonly used in modern contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 膽 with other characters like '单' (dān - single) due to similar pronunciation. Remember that 膽 specifically refers to gallbladder or courage, while '单' relates to singularity.
Write 膽
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Cultural Notes for 膽
In Western cultures, courage is often linked to individualism and personal achievement, while in Chinese culture, it is frequently associated with collective responsibility and loyalty to family or community.
Word Family of 膽
Compound Meaning
What does 大胆 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 膽
Common phrases include '膽量' (courage) and '膽識' (bravery and insight).
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