炭 (tàn) — charcoal (wood charcoal); coal

Definition

炭 covers both charcoal (wood charcoal) and coal. For coal in general use 煤; 煤炭 is a more formal written term for coal reserves and industry contexts.

noun

charcoal (wood charcoal)coal

Measure word · 块

Easily confused

炭。
Zhè jiā shāo kǎo diàn yòng tàn kǎo yáng ròu chuàn.
This barbecue place uses charcoal to grill lamb skewers.
炭。
Běi fāng nóng cūn dōng tiān cháng shāo tàn qǔ nuǎn.
In northern villages, people often burn coal for warmth in winter.
炭。
Tā yòng tàn huà le yì fú xiào xiàng huà.
He drew a portrait with charcoal.

Sound + meaning

六书liùshū

形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

岸

岸àn炭tàn

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

炭 combines 火 (fire) with 岸, which provides the sound. The 火 part connects the character to fire or burning material.

Appears in