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March 24, 2026
褴(襤)lán(lan2)
The character 褴 (lán) refers to something that is ragged, tattered, or threadbare, often used to describe worn-out clothing. This term is commonly used in contexts discussing poverty or the condition of garments, suggesting a sense of neglect or age.
Strokes15Radical衤Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, clothing often symbolizes social status, and wearing 褴 garments can reflect economic hardship or poverty, making it a sensitive topic. Traditional tales may feature characters in ragged clothes to evoke sympathy or highlight resilience.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'land' where clothes are so old and tattered that they look like rags. The character 褴 has the radical 衣 (clothing) on the left, reminding you that it relates to garments, and 'lán' sounds like 'land,' where the rags might be found.
Meanings of 褴
lán(lan2)
1ragged, tattered, threadbare
2ragged garments
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 褴
褴Simplified
襤Traditional
15Strokes
衤Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 褴
Podcast: 褴
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AI Study Notes for 褴
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'land' where clothes are so old and tattered that they look like rags. The character 褴 has the radical 衣 (clothing) on the left, reminding you that it relates to garments, and 'lán' sounds like 'land,' where the rags might be found.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 褴 with similar-looking characters. It is typically used in more informal contexts to describe clothing. Be cautious with the tone; it has a neutral tone, so ensure proper pronunciation to avoid misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 褴 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with other words at higher levels that describe clothing and states of condition. Focus on related terms like 破 (pò, broken) and 旧 (jiù, old) to build a broader vocabulary around clothing.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, clothing often symbolizes social status, and wearing 褴 garments can reflect economic hardship or poverty, making it a sensitive topic. Traditional tales may feature characters in ragged clothes to evoke sympathy or highlight resilience.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 褴 with 乱 (luàn), which means chaotic or messy, due to their similar appearance. Always remember that 褴 specifically refers to clothing and its condition.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 褴
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Grammar Patterns of 褴
褴 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 3
Complete the Sentence
5位幸存者最终到达安全之地时已经衣衫____褛、饥肠辘辘、精疲力尽。
The five survivors eventually reached safety, ragged, half-starved and exhausted.
Example Sentences for 褴 (3)
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1
5位幸存者最终到达安全之地时已经衣衫褴褛、饥肠辘辘、精疲力尽。
5 5 wèi xìng cún zhě zuì zhōng dào dá ān quán zhī dì shí yǐ jīng yī shān lán、 lǚ 、 jī cháng、 lù lù 、 jīng。
The five survivors eventually reached safety, ragged, half-starved and exhausted.
2
她蓬头乱发，衣衫褴褛，满是灰尘。
tā péng tóu luàn fā， ， yī shān lán， lǚ ， mǎn shì。
She had matted hair and torn dusty clothes.
3
我们在集市里，周围一大帮衣衫褴褛的小孩盯着我们看。
wǒ mén zài jí shì lǐ， ， zhōu wéi yī dà bāng yī shān lán lǚ de xiǎo hái dīng zháo wǒ mén。
We were in the bazaar with all the little urchins watching us.
Cultural Notes for 褴
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, clothing often symbolizes social status, and wearing 褴 garments can reflect economic hardship or poverty, making it a sensitive topic. Traditional tales may feature characters in ragged clothes to evoke sympathy or highlight resilience.
Word Family of 褴
Words Containing This Character2
褴褛ragged襤褸
褴lánragged garments襤
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 褴褛 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 褴
It means ragged or tattered, often used to describe worn-out clothing.
You can say '他的衣服很褴' (tā de yīfú hěn lán), meaning 'His clothes are very ragged.'
It is more commonly used in informal contexts or literature rather than in formal speech.
