弹

彈

dàn, tán

单 + 弓

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

dàn (noun) bullet; shell

tán (verb) to pluck (a string); to play (a string instrument)

tán (verb) to spring; to leap

tán (adjective) elastic

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 弓 represents the meaning and 单 represents the sound. Simplified form of 彈.

Semantic: 弓 Phonetic: 单

About

The character 弹 (traditional 彈) is a phono-semantic compound. The left side features the bow radical 弓, indicating a connection to archery, tension, or shooting. The right side provides the phonetic element, simplified to 单 in modern Chinese from the traditional 單. Historically, the character originally meant a pellet or projectile launched from a bow, giving rise to the noun pronunciation "dàn" for bullets or ammunition. From the action of releasing a taut bowstring, the verb pronunciation "tán" developed, meaning to shoot, flick, spring, or pluck a stringed instrument.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

弹钢琴很有趣。

Tán gāngqín hěn yǒuqù.

Playing the piano is very interesting.

我的玩具枪能发射子弹。

Wǒ de wánjù qiāng néng fāshè zǐdàn.

My toy gun can fire bullets.

他在认真学习弹吉他。

Tā zài rènzhēn xuéxí tán jítā.

He is seriously learning to play the guitar.

这床垫的弹性非常好。

Zhè chuángdiàn de tánxìng fēicháng hǎo.

This mattress has excellent elasticity.

子弹准确地击中了目标。

Zǐdàn zhǔnquè de jīzhòng le mùbiāo.

The bullet accurately hit the target.

她用巧妙的话术反驳了对方的弹劾。

Tā yòng qiǎomiào de huàshù fǎnbó le duìfāng de tánhé.

She refuted the opponent's impeachment with clever rhetoric.

这位钢琴家的演奏富有激情和弹性。

Zhè wèi gāngqínjiā de yǎnzòu fùyǒu jīqíng hé tánxìng.

This pianist's performance is full of passion and flexibility.

批评的言辞像子弹一样射向他。

Pīpíng de yáncí xiàng zǐdàn yíyàng shè xiàng tā.

The critical remarks shot towards him like bullets.

Related Characters

Component: 单

Component: 弓

弹