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March 24, 2026
兰(蘭)lán(Lan2)
The character 兰 (lán) primarily means 'orchid,' which is associated with elegance and grace in Chinese culture. It can also be a surname and is used as an abbreviation for Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. The character conveys a sense of beauty and refinement, often linked to traditional aesthetics.
Strokes5Radical丷Frequency#1852DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, orchids symbolize nobility and refinement, often celebrated in poetry and art. The character 兰 is also associated with the traditional values of elegance and grace, making it a popular choice in names and literature.
Memory tip
Imagine a graceful dancer (兰) surrounded by beautiful orchids. The character has a 'woman' radical on the left (女), symbolizing feminine beauty, and the right side resembles a plant, reinforcing the connection to nature and elegance.
Meanings of 兰
lán(Lan2)
1orchid; elegant, graceful
2lily magnolia (木蘭|木兰)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 兰
兰Simplified
蘭Traditional
5Strokes
丷Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateCEFRC1
Podcast: 兰
Podcast: 兰
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AI study notes for 兰
Usage Notes
兰 is often used in literary contexts or when discussing flowers and beauty. Be cautious with the pronunciation; it must be pronounced with the second tone (lán) to avoid confusion with other characters. Common collocations include 兰花 (lánhuā), meaning 'orchid flower.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 兰 is not part of the HSK curriculum, it connects with other HSK vocabulary related to plants and beauty. Learners should focus on its pronunciation and usage in cultural contexts, as well as its role in compound words.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 兰 as 'lǎn' with a falling tone, which is incorrect. The correct form is 'lán.' Additionally, some might confuse it with similar characters like 琳 (lín), which has a different meaning and is pronounced differently.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 兰
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Learning Lab
Knowing 兰 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.
The character 兰 (lán) primarily means 'orchid,' which is associated with elegance and grace in Chinese culture. It can also be a surname and is used as an abbreviation for Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. The character conveys a sense of beauty and refinement, often linked to traditional aesthetics.
When to use 兰
兰 is often used in literary contexts or when discussing flowers and beauty. Be cautious with the pronunciation; it must be pronounced with the second tone (lán) to avoid confusion with other characters. Common collocations include 兰花 (lánhuā), meaning 'orchid flower.'
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 兰 as 'lǎn' with a falling tone, which is incorrect. The correct form is 'lán.' Additionally, some might confuse it with similar characters like 琳 (lín), which has a different meaning and is pronounced differently.
Write 兰
兰
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Grammar patterns of 兰
兰 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他对于法国、德国和荷____的文学了如指掌。
He was well acquainted with the literature of France, Germany and Holland.
Example sentences for 兰 (10)
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1
他对于法国、德国和荷兰的文学了如指掌。
tā duìyú fǎ guó、 dé guó hé hé lán de wénxué le rú zhǐ zhǎng。
He was well acquainted with the literature of France, Germany and Holland.
2
那个节目将包括英格兰与爱尔兰比赛的实况报道。
nàge jiémù jiāng bāokuò Yīng gé lán yǔ ài ěr lán bǐsài de shíkuàng bàodào。
That programme will include live commentary on the England-Ireland game.
3
兰德尔这个时候应该正在拿周日的报纸。
lán dé ěr zhège shíhou yīnggāi zhèngzài ná zhōu rì de bàozhǐ。
Randall would just now be getting the Sunday paper.
