Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
栏(欄)lán(lan2)
The character 栏 (lán) primarily refers to a fence or railing, often used in both physical and metaphorical contexts. In addition to its literal meaning, it can also denote a column or box in textual data, such as a column in a table. This word is commonly used in both everyday conversations and more formal writing when discussing barriers or organizational structures.
Strokes9Radical木Frequency#8522DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese architecture, railings (栏) have significant aesthetic and safety roles, especially in traditional gardens and temples where they enhance beauty while providing safety. The concept of barriers is also prominent in Chinese philosophy, symbolizing protection and separation.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fence (栏) standing tall, protecting a garden. The left component '木' (tree) signifies wood, which is commonly used for railings and fences, while the right component '阑' suggests a boundary. Picture a friendly garden gnome peeking through the fence, reminding you that 'lán' sounds like 'land', where fences are found.
Meanings of 栏
lán(lan2)
1fence
2railing
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 栏
栏Simplified
欄Traditional
9Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8522Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 栏
Podcast: 栏
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 栏
Quick Contrast
栏 (lán) vs 柱 (zhù) — use 栏 for railings or barriers, and 柱 for vertical supports or pillars.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fence (栏) standing tall, protecting a garden. The left component '木' (tree) signifies wood, which is commonly used for railings and fences, while the right component '阑' suggests a boundary. Picture a friendly garden gnome peeking through the fence, reminding you that 'lán' sounds like 'land', where fences are found.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 栏 with similar characters, such as 栏杆 (lán gān), which means 'railing'. This character is more formal and is often used in written language, particularly in academic or technical contexts. Pay attention to pronunciation, ensuring that the third tone is correctly emphasized.
HSK Study Tips
Although 栏 is not included in HSK vocabulary lists, it can be connected to related terms at higher levels, such as 栏杆 (railing) and 文章 (wén zhāng, article). Focus on recognizing the character's radicals and using it in context, as it may appear in reading comprehension sections.
Cultural Note
In Chinese architecture, railings (栏) have significant aesthetic and safety roles, especially in traditional gardens and temples where they enhance beauty while providing safety. The concept of barriers is also prominent in Chinese philosophy, symbolizing protection and separation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 栏 in place of similar characters like 栏杆. For example, saying '我需要一个栏' (I need a fence) instead of '我需要一个栏杆'. Make sure to use 栏 specifically for columns or boxes and 栏杆 for railings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 栏
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 栏 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 栏 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 栏
栏 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 5 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
Complete the Sentence
我为他代写《电讯报》每周的橄榄球专____。
I ghosted his weekly rugby column for the Telegraph.
Example Sentences for 栏 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我为他代写《电讯报》每周的橄榄球专栏。
wǒ wéi tā dài xiě《 《 diàn xùn》 bào 》 měi zhōu de gǎn lǎn qiú。
I ghosted his weekly rugby column for the Telegraph.
2
围栏倒下时发出了断裂的声音。
wéi lán dǎo xià shí fā chū le duàn liè de shēng yīn。
There was a splintering sound as the railing gave way.
3
不大的教堂墓地周边围着一圈生锈的熟铁栅栏。
bù dà de jiào táng mù dì zhōu biān wéi zháo yī quān shēng xiù de shú tiě zhà lán。
The small churchyard was surrounded by a rusted wrought-iron fence.
4
通俗报纸的内页都有照片专栏.
tōng sú bào zhǐ de nèi yè dū yǒu zhào piàn zhuān lán.
The popular papers all have photo features on their inside pages.
5
警卫在拆除一段围栏好让它通过。
jǐng wèi zài chāi chú yī duàn wéi lán hǎo ràng tā tōng guò。
The guards were removing a section of fencing to let it through.
6
烹调专栏主笔莫伊拉·弗雷泽会带您了解幕后的故事。
pēng tiáo zhuān lán zhǔ bǐ mò yī lā· · fú léi zé huì dài nín le jiě mù hòu de gù。
Cookery Editor Moyra Fraser takes you behind the scenes.
7
村民们说这个围栏将限制公众进入山区。
cūn mín mén shuō zhè gè wéi lán jiāng xiàn zhì gōng zhòng jìn rù shān qū。
Villagers say the fence would restrict public access to the hills.
8
我想你得承认他是个备受尊敬的专栏作家。
wǒ xiǎng nǐ dé chéng rèn tā shì gè bèi shòu zūn jìng de zhuān lán zuò jiā。
I think you'd agree he's a very respected columnist.
9
他们拆掉了木栅栏，并砍去了一些树枝。
tā mén chāi diào le mù zhà lán， ， bìng kǎn qù le yī xiē shù。
They've torn down wooden fences and broken branches off trees.
10
翻身跃过栅栏后，他便朝斜穿围场的方向走去。
fān shēn yuè guò zhà lán hòu， ， tā biàn zhāo xié chuān wéi cháng de fāng xiàng zǒu。
Vaulting the stile, he headed diagonally across the paddock.
Cultural Notes for 栏
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese architecture, railings (栏) have significant aesthetic and safety roles, especially in traditional gardens and temples where they enhance beauty while providing safety. The concept of barriers is also prominent in Chinese philosophy, symbolizing protection and separation.
Word Family of 栏
Words Containing This Character19
栏lánfence欄
栏目lánmùprogram (TV or radio)欄目
专栏zhuānlánspecial column專欄
栅栏fence柵欄
栏杆lángānrailing欄杆
围栏fencing圍欄
跨栏hurdles跨欄
牛栏cattle pen牛欄
广告栏bulletin board廣告欄
工具栏toolbar (in computer software)工具欄
凭栏to lean on a parapet憑欄
布告栏bulletin board佈告欄
任务栏taskbar (computing)任務欄
铁栏railing鐵欄
公布栏bulletin board公佈欄
高栏high hurdle高欄
勾栏brothel勾欄
栏栅barrier欄柵
标题栏title bar (of a window) (computing)標題欄
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 栏 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 栏
Common phrases include 栏杆 (lán gān - railing) and 栏目 (lán mù - column or section in a newspaper).
You should pronounce it with a falling-rising tone, like 'lán'.
Yes, it can be used both in casual and formal contexts, especially when discussing structures or organization.
