Meanings of 痰
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About 痰
Podcast: 痰
Podcast: 痰
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AI Study Notes for 痰
痰 (tán) vs mucus (粘液 niányè) — use 痰 specifically for phlegm related to respiratory issues, while 粘液 refers to any mucus in the body.
In everyday conversations, 痰 is often used in medical discussions, so it's important to be aware of the context. A common mistake is confusing 痰 with saliva (唾, tuò), which has a different meaning. Ensure you're using the correct term when describing symptoms.
Though 痰 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with other health-related terms like 病 (bìng, illness) and 医生 (yīshēng, doctor). Focus on recognizing it in sentences related to health and understanding its role in Chinese medicine.
Learners often confuse 痰 with related terms like 血痰 (xiětán, blood-stained phlegm) and may incorrectly use them interchangeably. It's crucial to know the specific context for each term to avoid misunderstandings.
Pronunciation of 痰
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Jason Explains 痰 to You
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Learning Lab
Knowing 痰 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.
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Etymology of 痰
Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 炎 represents the sound.
sickness
Origin
痰 = 疒 + 炎. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 痰
Parts
Which of these is part of 痰?
How to say mucus, phlegm, spit in Chinese
“mucus, phlegm, spit” in Chinese is痰
The character 痰 (tán) refers to mucus or phlegm, which can accumulate in the respiratory system. It is commonly used in medical contexts to describe respiratory conditions or when discussing symptoms like coughs and colds. In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of phlegm is also associated with various health conditions and imbalances.
When to use 痰
In everyday conversations, 痰 is often used in medical discussions, so it's important to be aware of the context. A common mistake is confusing 痰 with saliva (唾, tuò), which has a different meaning. Ensure you're using the correct term when describing symptoms.
痰 or something close to it
痰 (tán) vs mucus (粘液 niányè) — use 痰 specifically for phlegm related to respiratory issues, while 粘液 refers to any mucus in the body.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 痰 with related terms like 血痰 (xiětán, blood-stained phlegm) and may incorrectly use them interchangeably. It's crucial to know the specific context for each term to avoid misunderstandings.
Write 痰
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Practice writing 痰 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 痰
痰 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 2 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
如果你非吐不可, 就请吐到备好的____桶里.
If you must spit at all, please spit in the bucket provided.
Example Sentences for 痰 (1)
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Word Family of 痰
Words with 痰
What does 化痰 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 痰
Yes, it's commonly used when discussing health issues, especially in contexts involving colds or respiratory problems.
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