胆

膽

dǎn

旦 + 月

Definitions

dǎn (noun) gallbladder

dǎn (noun) courage; guts

dǎn (noun) inner container

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 旦 represents the sound. Simplified form of 膽.

Semantic: ⺼ Phonetic: 旦

About

胆 is a phono-semantic compound and the simplified form of 膽. The radical ⺼ (written as 月) means 'flesh' or 'organ,' and the phonetic is 旦, which replaces the traditional phonetic 詹. The character denotes the gallbladder, an organ attached to the liver. In traditional Chinese beliefs, this organ was considered the seat of bravery, giving the character extended meanings of courage and fortitude.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我胆子很大。

Wǒ dǎnzi hěn dà.

I am very brave.

你有胆量吗？

Nǐ yǒu dǎnliàng ma?

Do you have courage?

胆囊在腹部右边。

Dǎnnáng zài fùbù yòubiān.

The gallbladder is on the right side of the abdomen.

她胆怯地小声说话。

Tā dǎnqiè de xiǎoshēng shuōhuà.

She spoke timidly in a low voice.

胆大的人喜欢冒险。

Dǎndà de rén xǐhuān màoxiǎn.

Bold people like adventures.

胆识需要慢慢培养。

Dǎnshí xūyào mànman péiyǎng.

Courage and insight need to be cultivated slowly.

别做胆小鬼要勇敢。

Bié zuò dǎnxiǎoguǐ yào yǒnggǎn.

Don't be a coward, be brave.

尽管胆怯他还是完成了任务。

Jǐnguǎn dǎnqiè tā háishì wánchéngle rènwù.

Despite being timid, he still completed the task.

Related Characters

Component: 旦

Component: 月

胆