HSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 皿, rank #9599, Hard
盏
zhǎn
classifier for lamps
HSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 皿, rank #9599, Hard
zhǎn(zhan3) T3
1small cup or container
2a small cup
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March 24, 2026
盏(盞)zhǎn(zhan3)
The character 盏 (zhǎn) primarily refers to a small cup or container, often used for serving tea or other beverages. It is also a classifier for lamps, particularly those that are small or portable. In contexts like dining or discussing home decor, this term is frequently encountered.
Strokes10Radical皿Frequency#9599DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese tea culture, the act of serving tea in a 盏 is a significant ritual, symbolizing hospitality and respect. The size of the cup encourages appreciation of the tea's flavor and aroma, reflecting the value placed on tea in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tiny, delicate cup holding a warm drink; the cup resembles a little lantern (灯). The character 盏 combines the 'eye' radical (目) which represents looking or seeing, suggesting the act of enjoying a drink, and the 'container' element (皿) that signifies holding something precious.
Meanings of 盏
zhǎn(zhan3)
1small cup or container
2a small cup
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 盏
盏Simplified
盞Traditional
10Strokes
皿Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 盏
Podcast: 盏
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AI Study Notes for 盏
Quick Contrast
盅 (zhōng) - use 盏 for small cups or containers, especially for tea, while 盅 specifically refers to small bowls or cups for soup.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tiny, delicate cup holding a warm drink; the cup resembles a little lantern (灯). The character 盏 combines the 'eye' radical (目) which represents looking or seeing, suggesting the act of enjoying a drink, and the 'container' element (皿) that signifies holding something precious.
Usage Notes
While 盏 specifically refers to small cups, it is important not to confuse it with larger containers, which use different classifiers. Register-wise, it is neutral and suitable for both formal and informal conversations. Common collocations include 盏茶 (a cup of tea) and 盏灯 (a lamp). Pay attention to the third tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 盏 is not included in the official HSK levels, it connects with related vocabulary about dining and home, such as 杯 (bēi, cup) and 灯 (dēng, lamp). Students should focus on its usage in context to solidify understanding, especially in discussions about food and home settings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese tea culture, the act of serving tea in a 盏 is a significant ritual, symbolizing hospitality and respect. The size of the cup encourages appreciation of the tea's flavor and aroma, reflecting the value placed on tea in Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 盏 with 杯 (bēi), which means 'cup' but is used for larger ones. For instance, saying '我喝了一盏水' (wǒ hē le yī zhǎn shuǐ) is incorrect; it should be '我喝了一杯水' (wǒ hē le yī bēi shuǐ) meaning 'I drank a cup of water.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 盏
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Grammar Patterns of 盏
盏 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 3 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.
tā wèn zhè liǎng zhǎn dēng nǎ yī zhǎn zhào dé gēng liàng.
She asked which of the two lamps shone brighter.
5
那黑暗的屋墙上突然亮起一盏灯光.
nà hēi àn de wū qiáng shàng tū rán liàng qǐ yī zhǎn dēng guāng.
A light shone out of the dark wall of the house.
6
电力足够带起4盏灯。
diàn lì zú gòu dài qǐ4 4 zhǎn。
There is enough power to run up to four lights.
7
请把那盏灯往一旁照,请别让灯照到我的眼睛.
qǐng bǎ nà zhǎn dēng wǎng yī páng zhào, , qǐng bié ràng dēng zhào dào wǒ de yǎn.
Please shine that light away from my eyes.
8
哈里在一盏街灯下停了下来，开始显摆地查看包里的东西。
hā lǐ zài yī zhǎn jiē dēng xià tíng le xià lái， ， kāi shǐ xiǎn bǎi dì chá kàn bāo lǐ de dōng。
Harry stopped under a street lamp and ostentatiously began inspecting the contents of his bag.
9
晚饭毕, 粗陋的碗盏收拾干净.
wǎn fàn bì, , cū lòu de wǎn zhǎn shōu shí gān.
The meal ended, and the humble preparations were removed.
10
两盏灯发出微弱的光。
liǎng zhǎn dēng fā chū wēi ruò de guāng。
Two lamps burned dimly.
Cultural Notes for 盏
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese tea culture, the act of serving tea in a 盏 is a significant ritual, symbolizing hospitality and respect. The size of the cup encourages appreciation of the tea's flavor and aroma, reflecting the value placed on tea in Chinese society.
Word Family of 盏
Words Containing This Character2
盏zhǎna small cup盞
灯盏lantern燈盞
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 盏 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 盏
In dining contexts, 盏 refers to a small cup used for serving tea or other beverages, emphasizing the importance of the drinking experience.
No, 盏 is specifically for small cups; using it for larger cups would be incorrect.
It is pronounced with a falling tone, 'zhǎn', where the emphasis is on the third tone.
