About
The character "坦" originally depicted a specific quality of the earth, constructed from the semantic component 土 (earth, soil) combined with 旦 (dawn, daybreak) which primarily serves a phonetic function. Its core meaning, "level ground" or "flat expanse", directly arises from this composition, suggesting land that is open and exposed like the brightening horizon. Over time, this concrete, physical sense naturally gave way to more abstract applications, where the idea of something being even and unobstructed was applied to human demeanor and conduct. Thus, the character acquired its common metaphorical meanings of "open", "composed", and "honest", describing a personality that is straightforward and without hidden folds, much like a plain. This semantic shift from describing terrain to describing character represents the primary evolution of the character, which retains its original structural form.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
坦白说，我需要帮助。
前方的道路非常平坦。
他是一个坦诚可靠的人。
一辆坦克停在广场上。
他坦然接受了这个结果。
两国领导人进行了坦诚的交流。
他们坦率地讨论了所有问题。
面对如此巨大的压力，他依然态度坦然。