坛 (tán) — (noun) platform, rostrum, podium; (noun) altar
Definition
坛 is a formal, written term for a raised platform or altar — used in fixed phrases like 讲坛 'podium' and 天坛. For everyday 'platform/stage', use 台.
noun
platformrostrumpodiumaltar
Measure word · 座
Examples
- 坛。Gǔ dài rén yòng tán lái jì sì zǔ xiān.Ancient people used altars to worship their ancestors.
- 坛。Tā zài jiǎng tán shàng fā biǎo le zhòng yào yǎn jiǎng.He gave an important speech at the podium.
- 坛。Xué shēng men zhàn zài jiǎng tán qián zhǔn bèi fā yán.The students stood in front of the podium, preparing to speak.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 壇; 坛 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
亶
亶dǎn壇tán
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The traditional form 壇 pairs 土 (earth) with 亶 as a sound component; the simplified 坛 is a later shorthand.
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