Featured image for 喃 nán Dictionary entry displaying the word's hanzi, pinyin and the Mandarin Temple logo and tagline.

Pronunciation

nán

To complete this step you need to listen to the audio pronunciation of the word once.

nán Meaning

Learn the Pinyin Pronunciation and 3 English Translations of the word nán .

To complete this step you need to read and scroll down.

Pīnyīn Pronunciation
nán | nan2
English translation
to chatter, to keep talking; to mumble

Learn the Chinese word nán in 7 easy steps:

1
Start completing the learning steps to receive the bonus.
You have completed 4/7 steps. Keep going!
Congratulations! You have completed the first learning sequence for this character.
Temple Coins Received
0
2
Unlocks in 48h after completing the first learning phase.
Start completing the learning steps to receive the bonus.
You have completed 4/7 steps. Keep going!
Congratulations! You have completed the second learning sequence for this character.
Temple Coins Received
0
3
Unlocks in 7 days after completing the second learning phase.
Start completing the learning steps to receive the bonus.
You have completed 4/7 steps. Keep going!
Congratulations! You have completed the second learning sequence for this character.
Temple Coins Received
0
Slide 1 Heading
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor
Click Here
Slide 2 Heading
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor
Click Here
Slide 3 Heading
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor
Click Here
Previous slide
Next slide

About nán

Read some general information about the Chinese word nán .

To complete this step you need to read and scroll down..

Number of strokes

12

Traditional form

nán

Contains the radical

kǒu

Part of speech

Onomatopoeia / 拟声词 nǐ shēng cí Nǐ shēng cí

Learning hint

mouth

Etymology of nán

Familiarize yourself with the origin and historical aspects of the Chinese word nán .

To complete this step you need to read and scroll down..

Type

pictophonetic

Positional decomposition

口南

Semantic compound

kǒu

Phonetic compound

Nán

Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. kǒu represents the meaning and Nán represents the sound.

Write it!

Practice your Chinese writing skills and learn precisely where and when to draw every stroke of the
Chinese word nán .
     Press the Show Strokes button to see the strokes and their order and hit Start Drawing when you are
ready to practice.

To complete this step you need to write the word once.

Spread the word

Example sentences using nán

Broaden your vocabulary by interacting with 2 audio-assisted sentences using the Chinese word nán in different contexts.

To complete this step you need to listen to each of the five Chinese sentences at least once. and scroll down.

māo zài 主人 zhǔrén de 轻抚 qīng fǔ 喃喃 nán nán 细语 xì yǔ xià , 精神 jīngshén huì 随之 suí zhī 安定 Ān dìng 下来 xià lai .

With masters'tender petting and whispering , cats can and feel safe.

书记 shūji Guān zài 喃喃 nán nán 诵读 sòng dú 起诉 qǐ sù zhuàng .

The clerk was gabbling over the indictment.

Words with nán

Explore 6 words and sayings that include the Chinese character nán in their composition.

To complete this step you need to read and scroll down.

FrequencySimplifiedMeaningTraditional
喃喃 nán nán to mumble喃喃 nán nán
nán mumble in repetition nán
呢喃 ní nán whispering呢喃 ní nán
喃喃自语 nán nán zì yǔ to mumble to oneself喃喃自語
呋喃 fū nán furan (furfuran, used in making nylon) (loanword)呋喃 fū nán
呋喃西林 fū nán xī lín furacilinum (loanword)呋喃西林 fū nán xī lín

nán Decomposition & Compounds

To complete this step you need to read and scroll down.

Recommended Books for Learning Mandarin Chinese

AMAZON BOOKSHELF

AMAZON BOOKSHELF

A Boy and his Dragon

Once upon a time, a Little Boy was living in a village near the woods. One day, a Dragon came out of the cave secluded in the middle of the forest and began to relentlessly follow the Little Boy, always breathing on the back of his neck, burning the young boy at his slightest misstep.

The child received refuge in an old Temple where there were no mirrors allowed, and it was forbidden to speak of life before entering the sanctum. Ancient books, hidden rooms with unimaginable treasures and beauty beyond comprehension, became part of the boy’s new life.

Time went by until, one day, the now old young boy accidentally glimpses his own reflection in a pond. The Dragon smiled back.

Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.

Copyright © 2026 Mandarin Temple. All rights reserved.

Scroll to Top