Meanings of 痰
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 痰
Podcast: 痰
Podcast: 痰
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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.
Imagine a 'tan' (like 'tantrum') that comes from your throat when you cough up phlegm. The character 痰 has the radical for illness (疒) on the left, indicating it relates to health, while the right part suggests a substance that can be expelled, helping you remember its meaning and pronunciation.
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.
In traditional Chinese medicine, phlegm (痰) is viewed not just as a physical substance but also as a sign of imbalance in the body's qi (energy). This perspective influences how ailments are treated, often emphasizing diet and lifestyle changes.
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
Drill the tone of 痰 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 痰
Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 炎 represents the sound.
sickness
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 痰?
Decomposition of 痰
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 痰?
Write 痰
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
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.
Complete the Sentence
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)
Cultural Notes for 痰
In traditional Chinese medicine, phlegm (痰) is viewed not just as a physical substance but also as a sign of imbalance in the body's qi (energy). This perspective influences how ailments are treated, often emphasizing diet and lifestyle changes.
Word Family of 痰
Compound Meaning
What does 痰 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 痰
Yes, it's commonly used when discussing health issues, especially in contexts involving colds or respiratory problems.