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Word

弹 (tán) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 4

also read as:
dàn projectile; bullet; ammunition
tan spring; elasticity; flexibility; rebound

弹 (tán) is a Chinese word: to play (a stringed instrument). This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 弹

动 dòng verb

to play (a stringed instrument)

她会弹钢琴。

tā huì tán gāng qín

She can play the piano.

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Word breakdown

弹 tán — to play (a stringed instrument)

Words with this character (3)
  • 1 弹性 tán xìng — elasticity HSK 6
    • 弹 elastic, spring back
    • 性 property, nature, quality
    Example

    这种材料具有很好的弹性。

    zhè zhǒng cái liào jù yǒu hěn hǎo de tán xìng

    This material has very good elasticity.

  • 2 反弹 fǎn tán — rebound HSK 7
    • 反 reverse, back, counter
    • 弹 bounce, spring
    Example

    股票市场在下跌后开始反弹。

    gǔ piào shì chǎng zài xià diē hòu kāi shǐ fǎn tán

    The stock market began to rebound after falling.

  • 3 对牛弹琴 duì niú tán qín — to cast pearls before swine HSK 7
    • 对 toward/to (indicates the target or recipient)
    • 牛 cow/ox (the uncomprehending audience in the metaphor)
    • 弹 to play (a stringed instrument)
    • 琴 stringed instrument/lute (the refined art being wasted)
    Example

    你跟他讲这些高深的理论，简直是对牛弹琴。

    nǐ gēn tā jiǎng zhè xiē gāo shēn de lǐ lùn jiǎn zhí shì duì niú tán qín

    Explaining these profound theories to him is like casting pearls before swine.

Structure & writing
1 弹 tán — use the elasticity of one object to propel another
Xpinyin

弹 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1.1 弓 gōng — bow (weapon for shooting arrows or projectiles)
弓 is a component in 14 characters
HSK 3
张 zhāng to open or spread out something closed or contracted
HSK 4
引 yǐn to pull; to tug 弹 tán use the elasticity of one object to propel another 强 qiáng strong, powerful (opposite of 'weak')
HSK 5
弯 wān not straight; curved 弱 ruò weak in strength or power (opposite of 强)
HSK 6
弥 mí full; all over 粥 zhōu porridge; congee (semi-liquid food made by boiling grains)
HSK 7
夷 yí flat; peaceful 弘 hóng a surname 弛 chí (lit.) to relax; to loosen 弦 xián bowstring (elastic cord strung between the two ends of a bow, usually made of sinew) 疆 jiāng border, boundary
Show more HSK 7 characters (+1)
躬 gōng personally; in person
1.2 单 dān — simple; few in variety or category
单 is a component in 4 characters
HSK 4
弹 tán use the elasticity of one object to propel another
HSK 7
惮 dàn (lit.) to fear; to dread 禅 chán abbreviated transliteration of Sanskrit 'dhyāna', referring to Buddhist meditation 阐 chǎn to explain in detail; to expound and clarify

Stroke order