Definitions

tàn (noun) charcoal; coal

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 炭 is a logical compound meaning charcoal, coal, or the element carbon. It places 山 (mountain) above 灰 (ash), visually depicting wood from mountains being burned to produce charcoal. The lower component 灰 contains the fire radical 火, linking the character to burning and fuel. Originally referring to wood charcoal for heating and cooking, its meaning expanded to include mineral coal and now serves as the standard term for carbon in chemistry.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们烧取暖。

Wǒmen shāo tàn qǔnuǎn.

We burn charcoal for warmth.

火很温暖。

Tànhuǒ hěn wēnnuǎn.

The charcoal fire is very warm.

工厂需要很多煤

Gōngchǎng xūyào hěnduō méitàn.

The factory needs a lot of coal.

他用笔画了一幅画。

Tā yòng tànbǐ huà le yī fú huà.

He drew a picture with a charcoal pencil.

烤的食物很美味。

Tàn kǎo de shíwù hěn měiwèi.

Charcoal-grilled food is very delicious.

这种燃烧时间很长。

Zhè zhǒng tàn ránshāo shíjiān hěn cháng.

This type of charcoal burns for a long time.

工业对环境有影响。

Méitàn gōngyè duì huánjìng yǒu yǐngxiǎng.

The coal industry has an impact on the environment.

科学家在研究清洁技术。

Kēxuéjiā zài yánjiū qīngjié tàn jìshù.

Scientists are researching clean coal technology.