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March 24, 2026
蛋dàn(Dan4)
The character 蛋 (dàn) primarily means 'egg' and is commonly used in culinary contexts, such as discussing food or recipes. It can also refer to anything that is oval-shaped, and is often used in combination with other characters to describe various egg-related dishes.
Strokes11Radical虫Frequency#1135DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, eggs are a symbol of new beginnings and fertility, often featured in traditional celebrations such as the Spring Festival. They are also prominent in various regional cuisines, highlighting their importance in everyday meals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a round egg (蛋) sitting in a pan, resembling the shape of an oval. The 'd' in 'dàn' can remind you of 'dome,' which is similar to the shape of an egg. Visualize the egg cracking open to reveal a delicious omelet, connecting the character to its culinary use.
Meanings of 蛋
dàn(Dan4)
1egg
2oval-shaped
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 蛋 means.
About 蛋
蛋Simplified
11Strokes
虫Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1135Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2YCTL3HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 蛋
Podcast: 蛋
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AI Study Notes for 蛋
Quick Contrast
蛋 (dàn) vs 鸡蛋 (jīdàn) — use 蛋 for general references to eggs, while 鸡蛋 specifically means 'chicken egg'.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the pronunciation as it falls under the fourth tone, which can change its meaning if mispronounced. Common collocations include 蛋糕 (cake), 鸡蛋 (chicken egg), and 煮蛋 (boiled egg). It's generally used in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Although 蛋 (dàn) may not be explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects with food-related vocabulary that is essential for daily life in China. Students should focus on its usage in sentences and practice with related terms like 鸡蛋 (jī dàn) and other food characters.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 蛋 (egg) with other similar-sounding words like 担 (dàn) meaning 'to carry.' A common mistake is saying '我喜欢担' when they mean 'I like eggs' — it should be '我喜欢蛋.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蛋
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Etymology of 蛋
Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 延 represents the sound.
蛋 = 虫 + 延. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 蛋
IDS Structure⿱疋虫
蛋Full Character
=
疋pi3
top
虫chong2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 蛋?
How to say egg in Chinese
“egg” in Chinese is蛋dàn
The character 蛋 (dàn) primarily means 'egg' and is commonly used in culinary contexts, such as discussing food or recipes. It can also refer to anything that is oval-shaped, and is often used in combination with other characters to describe various egg-related dishes.
When to use 蛋
Be careful with the pronunciation as it falls under the fourth tone, which can change its meaning if mispronounced. Common collocations include 蛋糕 (cake), 鸡蛋 (chicken egg), and 煮蛋 (boiled egg). It's generally used in both formal and informal contexts.
蛋 or something close to it
蛋 (dàn) vs 鸡蛋 (jīdàn) — use 蛋 for general references to eggs, while 鸡蛋 specifically means 'chicken egg'.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 蛋 (egg) with other similar-sounding words like 担 (dàn) meaning 'to carry.' A common mistake is saying '我喜欢担' when they mean 'I like eggs' — it should be '我喜欢蛋.'
Write 蛋
蛋
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Grammar Patterns of 蛋
蛋 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). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
