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March 24, 2026
蓝(藍)lán(Lan2)
The character 蓝 (lán) primarily means 'blue' and can also refer to the indigo plant. It is commonly used in various contexts, such as describing colors in art, fashion, and nature. Additionally, it can be a surname in Chinese culture, showcasing its versatility in both everyday language and personal identification.
Strokes13Radical艹Frequency#1674DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, blue is often associated with peace, tranquility, and harmony. The indigo plant, from which the color is derived, has been used historically in dyeing textiles, reflecting its importance in traditional Chinese craft and art.
Memory tip
Imagine a large, serene lake reflecting a bright blue sky. The character 蓝 (lán) has a 'water' radical (氵) on the left, hinting at its connection to nature and colors, while the right side resembles a plant, reminding you of the indigo plant that contributes to this beautiful color.
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AI study notes for 蓝
Quick Contrast
青 (qīng) - use 蓝 (lán) for the specific color 'blue' rather than the broader 'green' or 'blue-green' associated with 青.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 蓝 (lán) with other color characters, especially when discussing shades. Remember that 蓝 specifically refers to blue, while other characters might denote different colors. Use it in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with tone; it should always be pronounced with the second tone (lán).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 蓝 (lán) connects with other color-related vocabulary, such as 红 (hóng, red) and 绿 (lǜ, green). Focus on using it in sentences describing objects or feelings associated with the color blue to reinforce your understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 蓝 (lán) with 青 (qīng) which can also refer to colors in certain contexts, such as blue or green. For example, saying '天空是青色的' (Tiānkōng shì qīngsè de) when referring to the sky should use 蓝 instead: '天空是蓝色的' (Tiānkōng shì lánsè de).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蓝
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蓝 = 艹 + 监. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 蓝
IDS Structure⿱艹监
蓝Full character
=
艹cao3
top
监jian1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 蓝?
How to say blue in Chinese
“blue” in Chinese is蓝lán
The character 蓝 (lán) primarily means 'blue' and can also refer to the indigo plant. It is commonly used in various contexts, such as describing colors in art, fashion, and nature. Additionally, it can be a surname in Chinese culture, showcasing its versatility in both everyday language and personal identification.
When to use 蓝
Learners often confuse 蓝 (lán) with other color characters, especially when discussing shades. Remember that 蓝 specifically refers to blue, while other characters might denote different colors. Use it in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with tone; it should always be pronounced with the second tone (lán).
蓝 or something close to it
青 (qīng) - use 蓝 (lán) for the specific color 'blue' rather than the broader 'green' or 'blue-green' associated with 青.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 蓝 (lán) with 青 (qīng) which can also refer to colors in certain contexts, such as blue or green. For example, saying '天空是青色的' (Tiānkōng shì qīngsè de) when referring to the sky should use 蓝 instead: '天空是蓝色的' (Tiānkōng shì lánsè de).
Write 蓝
蓝
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Grammar patterns of 蓝
蓝 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 4 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.
chuán huì tíng kào zài nàlǐ， yìng chèn zài yī piàn bōlán bù Xīng de zhàn lán hǎishuǐ zhīzhōng。
The ship would lie there mirrored in a perfectly unmoving glossy sea.
10
她出神地看着小窗子外面的蓝色地平线。
tā chūshén dì kàn zhe xiǎo chuāngzi wàimiàn de lánsè dì píng xiàn。
She stared dreamily out of the small window at the blue horizon.
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Cultural Notes for 蓝
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the color blue is often associated with harmony and peace. It's a color seen in nature, from the sky to the oceans, symbolizing tranquility.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, blue often symbolizes trust and calmness, while in Chinese culture, it also connects deeply with nature and tranquility but may not carry the same connotations of authority or stability.
Word Family of 蓝
Words containing this character20
蓝lánblue藍
蓝色lánsèblue (color)藍色
蓝天lántiānblue sky藍天
蓝图lántúblueprint藍圖
蔚蓝wèilánazure蔚藍
蓝宝石lánbǎoshísapphire藍寶石
甘蓝gānláncabbage甘藍
蓝领lánlǐngblue-collar藍領
湛蓝zhànlánazure湛藍
蓝本lánběnblueprint藍本
蓝皮书lánpíshūan official report (e.g. governmental)藍皮書
天蓝tiānlánsky blue天藍
天蓝色tiānlánsèazure天藍色
蓝藻lánzǎocyanobacteria (blue-green algae)藍藻
蓝山lánshānLanshan county in Yongzhou 永州[Yǒngzhōu], Hunan藍山
板蓝根bǎnlángēnindigo woad root板藍根
碧蓝bìlándark blue碧藍
蓝田lántiánLantian county in Xi'an 西安[Xī'ān], Shaanxi藍田
蓝鲸lánjīngblue whale藍鯨
深蓝shēnlánDeep Blue, chess-playing computer, first to defeat reigning world champion, developed by IBM (1985-1997)深藍
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 蓝
What does 蓝色 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 蓝
Yes, 蓝 (lán) appears in several common phrases, such as '蓝天' (lán tiān), which means 'blue sky.' Using color words in phrases can enhance your language skills and make your speech more vivid.
Some synonyms for 蓝 (lán) include '青' (qīng), which can also refer to blue or greenish colors, and '蔚蓝' (wèi lán), meaning 'sky blue.' Exploring synonyms can deepen your understanding of color nuances in Chinese.
蓝 (lán) means 'blue' in Chinese and is often used to describe colors. It can also refer to the indigo plant and is a common surname in China. Understanding its usage can help you describe colors and identify related vocabulary.
You can use 蓝 (lán) in sentences to describe objects or things that are blue. For example, you can say '天空是蓝色的' (tiānkōng shì lán sè de), meaning 'The sky is blue.' This helps to incorporate color vocabulary into your daily conversations.
You can say '这件衣服是蓝色的' (Zhè jiàn yīfú shì lánsè de), which means 'This piece of clothing is blue.'
No, while it primarily describes the color blue, 蓝 can also refer to the indigo plant and is used as a surname.
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