兰

蘭

lán

三 + 丷

Definitions

lán (noun) orchid

lán (noun) fragrant plant; aromatic herb

Etymology

Simplified form of 蘭. Phonosemantic compound. 䒑 represents the meaning and 三 represents the sound.

About

兰, the simplified form of 蘭, is a phono-semantic compound: the grass radical 䒑 marks it as a plant, while 三 hints at the sound. In the traditional character, the complex 闌 served as the phonetic, but simplification replaced it with the simpler 三. The character denotes fragrant plants, especially the orchid, and in Chinese culture evokes elegance, refinement, noble character, and a delicate, lasting fragrance.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Seal Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是一朵兰花。

Zhè shì yī duǒ lán huā.

This is an orchid flower.

我养的兰花很漂亮。

Wǒ yǎng de lán huā hěn piàoliang.

The orchid I grow is very beautiful.

她买了一盆白玉兰。

Tā mǎi le yī pén báiyùlán.

She bought a pot of magnolia flower.

妈妈喜欢兰花的清香。

Māma xǐhuan lán huā de qīngxiāng.

Mom likes the delicate fragrance of orchids.

兰州是中国的一个城市。

Lánzhōu shì Zhōngguó de yī gè chéngshì.

Lanzhou is a city in China.

山上的兰草开花了。

Shān shàng de láncǎo kāi huā le.

The orchid grass on the mountain has bloomed.

他常买兰香型的茶叶。

Tā cháng mǎi lán xiāng xíng de cháyè.

He often buys tea with an orchid scent.

她气质如兰，温文尔雅。

Tā qìzhì rú lán, wēnwéněryǎ.

Her temperament resembles an orchid, gentle and refined.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 三

Component: 丷

兰