Definitions

tàn (verb) to sigh; to exclaim

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and 𦰩 represents the sound.

About

The character "叹" is the simplified form of the traditional character "嘆", which is structurally composed of the mouth radical "口" on the left and the component "堇" on the right, with "堇" historically serving as a phonetic element. Its primary etymological meaning centers on sighing or lamenting, directly associated with vocal expression as indicated by the mouth radical. Over time, the semantic range of the character expanded beyond sorrow to encompass stronger exclamations of emotion, including admiration or astonishment, as seen in compounds like "赞叹" (to admire) and "惊叹" (to exclaim in wonder). The simplified form "叹" replaced the complex right-hand component "堇" with "又", a generic simplification symbol that reduces stroke count without retaining the original phonetic clue.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

了一口气。

Tā tànle yī kǒu qì.

He sighed.

她常常息命运。

Tā chángcháng tànxī mìngyùn.

She often sighs at fate.

我感时间过得真快。

Wǒ gǎntàn shíjiān guò dé zhēn kuài.

I exclaim at how fast time passes.

大家赞他的勇敢。

Dàjiā zàntàn tā de yǒnggǎn.

Everyone admires his bravery.

我对他的技巧服不已。

Wǒ duì tā de jìqiǎo tànfú bùyǐ.

I am filled with admiration for his skills.

看到美景,她不禁息。

Kàn dào měijǐng, tā bùjīn tànxī.

Seeing the beautiful scenery, she cannot help but sigh.

了一口气,然后继续工作。

Tā tànle yī kǒu qì, ránhòu jìxù gōngzuò.

He sighed and then continued working.

每当想起往事,他总会感人生的无常。

Měi dāng xiǎng qǐ wǎngshì, tā zǒng huì gǎntàn rénshēng de wúcháng.

Whenever he recalls the past, he always sighs at the unpredictability of life.