Meanings of 蘭
By ear
Play it, then pick what 蘭 means.
About 蘭
Podcast: 蘭
Podcast: 蘭
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 蘭
兰 (lán) refers specifically to the orchid plant, while 芳 (fāng) denotes fragrance or a general sense of pleasantness; choose 蘭 when emphasizing the specific flower rather than just a scent.
In formal contexts, 蘭 can be used in poetry or to describe sophisticated qualities, but it's less common in everyday conversation. Be cautious of the correct tone; a common mistake is mispronouncing it as 'làn,' which means 'to fall.'
Although 蘭 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to other botanical terms like 花 (huā, flower) and 草 (cǎo, grass). Focus on using it in descriptive phrases to enhance your vocabulary related to nature.
Learners often confuse 蘭 with 兰 (làn), which is a simplified version of the character. Make sure to use the correct traditional form 蘭 when discussing its cultural significance.
Pronunciation of 蘭
Drill the tone of 蘭 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 蘭 to you
Let me explain 蘭 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 蘭 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
How well do you know 蘭?
Learning Lab
Knowing 蘭 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.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 蘭
Simplified form of 蘭. Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 三 represents the sound.
flower
Origin
蘭 = 艹 + 闌. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 蘭
Parts
Which of these is part of 蘭?
How to say orchid; elegant, graceful in Chinese
“orchid; elegant, graceful” in Chinese is蘭
The character 蘭 (lán) primarily refers to the orchid, a flower often associated with beauty and elegance in Chinese culture. It can also denote qualities such as grace and refinement, making it a popular metaphor in literature and art.
When to use 蘭
In formal contexts, 蘭 can be used in poetry or to describe sophisticated qualities, but it's less common in everyday conversation. Be cautious of the correct tone; a common mistake is mispronouncing it as 'làn,' which means 'to fall.'
蘭 or something close to it
兰 (lán) refers specifically to the orchid plant, while 芳 (fāng) denotes fragrance or a general sense of pleasantness; choose 蘭 when emphasizing the specific flower rather than just a scent.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 蘭 with 兰 (làn), which is a simplified version of the character. Make sure to use the correct traditional form 蘭 when discussing its cultural significance.
Write 蘭
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 蘭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 蘭?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
Word Family of 蘭
Characters with 蘭
What does 兰 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 蘭
蘭 symbolizes beauty, elegance, and moral integrity, often admired in literature and art.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 蘭?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.