Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
镧 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
镧lánlanthanumn, 17 strokes, radical 钅, rank #94666, Very Hard
镧lánlanthanum (chemistry)unknown, 17 strokes, radical 钅, rank #94666, Very Hard
lán(lan2)lan T2
  1. 1lanthanum
  2. 2lanthanum (chemistry)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

镧(鑭)lán(lan2)

The character 镧 (lán) refers to the chemical element lanthanum, which is a soft, silvery-white metal. It is commonly used in various industrial applications, including catalysts and phosphors in lighting. This term is primarily used in scientific and technical contexts, especially in chemistry and materials science.

Strokes17Radical钅Frequency#94666DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

Lanthanum is significant in modern technology, particularly in the manufacturing of strong magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines, highlighting China's advancements in technology and materials science.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'lan' (lán) of precious metal shining like a lantern. The metal's shiny surface reflects light, helping you remember that it is a chemical element. The radical 镀 (metal) gives a clue about its metallic nature.

Meanings of 镧

lán(lan2)
1lanthanum
2lanthanum (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 镧 means.

About 镧

镧Simplified
鑭Traditional
17Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 镧

JasonAmy

Podcast: 镧

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 镧

Usage Notes

When using 镧 (lán), ensure you are in a scientific context, as it is not commonly used in everyday conversation. Be aware of its pronunciation; learners might confuse it with similar-sounding words. Common collocations include '镧元素' (lanthanum element) and '镧矿' (lanthanum ore).

HSK Study Tips

Although 镧 (lán) is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it relates to other scientific terms and elements students may encounter in higher-level studies. Focus on understanding its usage in chemistry and related fields to build relevant vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 镧 (lán) with similar-sounding characters like 蓝 (lán, meaning blue). A common mistake is using 蓝 when referring to the element, which is incorrect. Remember that 镧 specifically denotes lanthanum.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 镧

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 镧, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 镧 to you

Let me explain 镧 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 镧 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 镧?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 镧 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
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 镧

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

metal

Semantic (meaning)钅
+
Phonetic (sound)阑
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

镧 = 钅 + 阑. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 镧

IDS Structure⿰钅阑
镧Full character
=
钅jin1
left
阑lan2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 镧?

How to say lanthanum in Chinese

“lanthanum” in Chinese is镧lán

The character 镧 (lán) refers to the chemical element lanthanum, which is a soft, silvery-white metal. It is commonly used in various industrial applications, including catalysts and phosphors in lighting. This term is primarily used in scientific and technical contexts, especially in chemistry and materials science.

When to use 镧

When using 镧 (lán), ensure you are in a scientific context, as it is not commonly used in everyday conversation. Be aware of its pronunciation; learners might confuse it with similar-sounding words. Common collocations include '镧元素' (lanthanum element) and '镧矿' (lanthanum ore).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 镧 (lán) with similar-sounding characters like 蓝 (lán, meaning blue). A common mistake is using 蓝 when referring to the element, which is incorrect. Remember that 镧 specifically denotes lanthanum.

Write 镧

镧

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 镧?

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 200 AI credits.

Word Family of 镧

Words containing this character2
镧lánlanthanum (chemistry)鑭
镧系元素lánxìyuánsùlanthanoid (rare earth series), namely: lanthanum La57 鑭|镧[lán], cerium Ce58 鈰|铈[shì], praseodymium Pr59 鐠|镨[pǔ], neodymium Nd60 釹|钕[nǚ], promethium Pm61 鉕|钷[pǒ], samarium Sm62 釤|钐[shān], europium Eu63 銪|铕[yǒu], gadolinium Gd64 釓|钆[gá], terbium Tb65 鋱|铽[t鑭系元素
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 镧

What does 镧系元素 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 镧

Lanthanum is used in various applications, including catalysts in petroleum refining and in making strong magnets.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 镧?

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.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab