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蔓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
蔓mánturnipv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15209, Hard
蔓mánBrassica campestrisv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15209, Hard
蔓máncreeperv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15209, Hard
蔓mánto spreadv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15209, Hard
蔓mánvine, tendril, creeperv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15209, Hard
蔓mànturnipv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15209, Hard
蔓mànBrassica campestrisv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15209, Hard
蔓màncreeperv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15209, Hard
蔓mànto spreadv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15209, Hard
蔓mànvine, tendril, creeperv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15209, Hard
mán(man2)
primary
 T2
  1. 1turnip
  2. 2Brassica campestris
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
蔓mán(man2)

The character 蔓 (mán) primarily refers to a creeping plant or vine, such as those that spread out along the ground or climb upwards. It can also denote a turnip, particularly in agricultural contexts. This word is often used in discussions about gardening, botany, and farming.

Strokes14Radical艹Frequency#15209DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese agriculture, turnips and similar root vegetables play an important role in traditional diets, especially in northern regions. The concept of creeping plants is also significant in Chinese gardening aesthetics, where harmony with nature is emphasized.

Memory Tip

Imagine a vine (蔓) that 'manages' to spread everywhere it grows. The character looks like the vine itself, spreading out with its leafy components, and the pronunciation 'mán' sounds like 'man', who is always trying to stretch his reach.

Meanings of 蔓

mán(man2)
primary
1turnip
2Brassica campestris
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 蔓

蔓Simplified
14Strokes
艹Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#15209Frequency Rank

Podcast: 蔓

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Podcast: 蔓

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 蔓

Quick Contrast

蔓 (mán) vs 爬 (pá) — use 蔓 when referring specifically to creeping plants or vines, while 爬 indicates the action of climbing more generally.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a vine (蔓) that 'manages' to spread everywhere it grows. The character looks like the vine itself, spreading out with its leafy components, and the pronunciation 'mán' sounds like 'man', who is always trying to stretch his reach.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 蔓 with similar-sounding characters like 曼 (màn), which means 'elegant' or 'graceful'. This word is generally used in a more formal context, especially in botany and agriculture. Common collocations include 蔓生 (to spread), 蔓藤 (creeping vine).

HSK Study Tips

Though 蔓 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding this word can enhance your comprehension of plant-related terms in Chinese. It connects with other words related to nature and agriculture, so pay attention to its usage in those contexts.

Cultural Note

In Chinese agriculture, turnips and similar root vegetables play an important role in traditional diets, especially in northern regions. The concept of creeping plants is also significant in Chinese gardening aesthetics, where harmony with nature is emphasized.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 蔓 with other plant-related terms, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying 蔓生 (to spread) when referring to a plant that does not creep, which should instead use a more appropriate term like 生长 (to grow).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蔓

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Etymology of 蔓

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A long 曼 plant 艹 ; 曼 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 蔓?

Decomposition of 蔓

IDS Structure⿱艹曼
蔓Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
曼man4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 蔓?

Write 蔓

蔓

Practice writing 蔓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 蔓

蔓 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

传染病正在遭受洪灾的很多灾民中____延。

Infectious diseases are spreading among many of the flood victims.

Example Sentences for 蔓 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
传染病正在遭受洪灾的很多灾民中蔓延。

chuán rǎn bìng zhèng zài zāo shòu hóng zāi de hěn duō zāi mín zhōng màn yán。

Infectious diseases are spreading among many of the flood victims.
2
一场严重的森林大火的蔓延使得形势更加复杂。

yī cháng yán zhòng de sēn lín dà huǒ de màn yán shǐ dé xíng shì gēng jiā fù zá。

The situation was complicated by the spread of a serious forest fire.
3
取出设备后，我带着李在花草蔓生的花园里转了一圈。

qǔ chū shè bèi hòu， ， wǒ dài zháo lǐ zài huā cǎo màn shēng de huā yuán lǐ zhuǎn le yī。

As the equipment was unpacked, I led Lee around the overgrown garden.
4
四处蔓延的政治和经济混乱可能会使宪法变得可有可无。

sì chǔ màn yán de zhèng zhì hé jīng jì hùn luàn kě néng huì shǐ xiàn fǎ biàn dé kě yǒu kě wú。

Widespread political and economic disarray threatens to make the constitution meaningless.
5
针对公众对该疾病的不断蔓延日益担忧，从而出台了这一举措。

zhēn duì gōng zhòng duì gāi jí bìng de bù duàn màn yán rì yì dān yōu， ， cóng ér chū tái le zhè yī jǔ。

The move follows growing public concern over the spread of the disease.
6
将已收获过的黄瓜、西红柿和其他作物的秧蔓割下，制成堆肥。

jiāng yǐ shōu huò guò de huáng guā、 、 xī hóng shì hé qí tā zuò wù de yāng màn gē， xià ， zhì chéng。

Cut down and compost spent cucumbers, tomatoes and other crops.
7
我要设法让这条藤蔓顺着院子的东墙生长.

wǒ yào shè fǎ ràng zhè tiáo téng màn shùn zháo yuàn zǐ de dōng qiáng shēng cháng.

I'm going to try to train the vine along the east wall of the garden.
8
这疾病在蔓延, 五岁以下的小孩都有危险.

zhè jí bìng zài màn yán, , wǔ suì yǐ xià de xiǎo hái dū yǒu wēi.

The disease is spreading, and all children under five are at risk.
9
他的池塘里长满了恣意蔓生的杂草。

tā de chí táng lǐ cháng mǎn le zì yì màn shēng de zá cǎo。

His pond has been choked by the fast-growing weed.
10
宗教原教旨主义正在这一地区蔓延。

zōng jiào yuán jiào zhǐ zhǔ yì zhèng zài zhè yī dì qū màn yán。

Religious fundamentalism was spreading in the region.

Cultural Notes for 蔓

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese agriculture, turnips and similar root vegetables play an important role in traditional diets, especially in northern regions. The concept of creeping plants is also significant in Chinese gardening aesthetics, where harmony with nature is emphasized.

Word Family of 蔓

Words Containing This Character9
蔓延mànyánto extend
蔓mánturnip
藤蔓vine
枝蔓branches and tendrils
蔓草creeper
滋蔓to grow and spread
蔓菁turnip
蔓生植物creeper
荒烟蔓草desolate (idiom)荒煙蔓草
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 蔓延 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 蔓

The primary meaning of 蔓 is 'creeper' or 'vine'. It can also refer to turnips in agricultural contexts.