Definitions
About
The character 烂 (làn) is a phono-semantic compound. Its left side is the fire radical 火 (huǒ), which originally indicated meanings related to brightness or thorough cooking by heat. The right side is the phonetic component 兰 (lán), replacing the more complex element 闌 (lán) from its traditional form 爛. Historically, the character was used to describe radiant light or well-cooked food. Over time, its primary meaning shifted from the positive sense of being cooked soft to more negative connotations like overripe, spoiled, decaying, or rotten, though it still describes soft or mushy textures in cooked foods.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
水果已经腐烂了。
阳光灿烂的日子。
孩子们天真烂漫。
他把课文背得烂熟。
路上全是烂泥。
他留下了一个烂摊子。
他昨晚喝得烂醉。
那个工程烂尾了。