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March 24, 2026
闌lán(lan2)
闌 refers to a type of barrier or enclosure, often seen in the context of architecture as a screen door, railing, or fence. It is commonly used in residential settings where safety or separation is needed, such as around balconies or gardens.
Strokes17Radical門Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese architecture, 闌 is often associated with traditional design elements that emphasize safety and aesthetic beauty, especially in courtyards and gardens, reflecting the importance of harmony with nature.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'lan' (pronounced like 'lan') that protects you from falling off a balcony. The character 闌 has the radical 門 (door) which signifies its association with barriers or enclosures, while the 'lan' sound can remind you of a protective railing.
Meanings of 闌
lán(lan2)
1screen door, railing, fence
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 闌
闌Simplified
17Strokes
門Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 闌
Podcast: 闌
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AI Study Notes for 闌
Memory Mnemonic
Think of a 'lan' (pronounced like 'lan') that protects you from falling off a balcony. The character 闌 has the radical 門 (door) which signifies its association with barriers or enclosures, while the 'lan' sound can remind you of a protective railing.
Usage Notes
This character is typically used in written Chinese and may not be common in everyday conversation. Be cautious with its tone; 闌 (lán) has a flat tone that should not be confused with other similar-sounding words. Common collocations include 闌干 (lán gān), meaning 'railing'.
HSK Study Tips
闌 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, but it shares themes with words related to structure and safety found in HSK Level 4 and above. Students should focus on the character's components and how they relate to physical structures to help memorize it.
Cultural Note
In Chinese architecture, 闌 is often associated with traditional design elements that emphasize safety and aesthetic beauty, especially in courtyards and gardens, reflecting the importance of harmony with nature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 闌 with similar-sounding characters like 兰 (lán), which means orchid, leading to incorrect usage. It's important to remember that 闌 specifically refers to physical barriers or enclosures.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 闌
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Cultural Notes for 闌
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese architecture, 闌 is often associated with traditional design elements that emphasize safety and aesthetic beauty, especially in courtyards and gardens, reflecting the importance of harmony with nature.
Word Family of 闌
Words Containing This Character8
阑尾appendix闌尾
阑尾炎appendicitis (medicine)闌尾炎
阑lánrailing闌
阑珊waning闌珊
夜阑late at night夜闌
夜阑人静late at night夜闌人靜
阑干uneven闌干
更阑deep night更闌
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 阑尾 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 闌
闌 is used mainly in architectural contexts, such as describing railings, fences, and screen doors.
It is more commonly found in written texts rather than spoken language.
