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March 24, 2026
龛(龕)kān(kan1)
The character 龛 (kān) refers to a niche or shrine, typically used in the context of a space designed for religious or spiritual purposes. It often denotes a small alcove where idols or sacred items are placed, reflecting its importance in both personal and communal worship settings.
Strokes11Radical龙Frequency#78828DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, niches or shrines are important in homes and temples as they reflect respect for ancestors and deities, showcasing the significance of spirituality in daily life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small, serene alcove where a statue of a dragon (龜, a component of 龛) resides. The 'kān' sound can be remembered as the whisper of wind passing through this peaceful niche, creating a calm and sacred atmosphere.
Meanings of 龛
kān(kan1)
1niche, shrine
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 龛
龛Simplified
龕Traditional
11Strokes
龙Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 龛
Podcast: 龛
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AI Study Notes for 龛
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small, serene alcove where a statue of a dragon (龜, a component of 龛) resides. The 'kān' sound can be remembered as the whisper of wind passing through this peaceful niche, creating a calm and sacred atmosphere.
Usage Notes
This character is generally used in more formal or literary contexts, often related to religion or architecture. A common mistake is confusing it with similar characters, so pay attention to the radicals used. It's often paired with words like '佛' (Buddha) for '佛龛' (Buddha niche).
HSK Study Tips
While 龛 is not in HSK levels, understanding its components can help with memorizing other characters that involve religious or spiritual themes. Focus on recognizing the character's structure to assist with learning related vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, niches or shrines are important in homes and temples as they reflect respect for ancestors and deities, showcasing the significance of spirituality in daily life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 龛 with 竅 (qiào), which means 'hole' or 'opening.' Remember that 龛 specifically relates to niches or shrines, while 竅 does not carry the same spiritual connotation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 龛
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Grammar Patterns of 龛
龛 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 1
Complete the Sentence
那些壁____用金色的星星作装饰，边缘则用漆绘着小一些的星星。
The recesses are decorated with gold stars, with smaller stars painted along the edges.
Example Sentences for 龛 (1)
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1
那些壁龛用金色的星星作装饰，边缘则用漆绘着小一些的星星。
nà xiē bì kān yòng jīn sè de xīng xīng zuò zhuāng shì， ， biān yuán zé yòng qī huì zháo xiǎo yī xiē de xīng。
The recesses are decorated with gold stars, with smaller stars painted along the edges.
Cultural Notes for 龛
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, niches or shrines are important in homes and temples as they reflect respect for ancestors and deities, showcasing the significance of spirituality in daily life.
Word Family of 龛
Words Containing This Character4
神龛shrine神龕
龛kānniche龕
壁龛niche (in a wall)壁龕
佛龛niche for statue (esp. Buddhist, Christian etc)佛龕
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 神龛 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 龛
The pinyin for 龛 is 'kān', with a flat and even tone.
While 龛 specifically refers to a niche or shrine, other characters may denote different types of spaces or meanings, so context is key.
It is rarely used in casual conversation and is more appropriate in discussions about religion or architecture.
