Definition
汉 is a bound morpheme (b.f.) that cannot stand alone in modern Chinese—you'll always find it in compound words. It carries three core historical meanings: the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), the Han Chinese ethnic group, and the Chinese language (especially in contrast to other languages or writing systems). When you see 汉 in words like 汉族 (Hànzú, Han ethnicity), 汉语 (Hànyǔ, Chinese language), or 汉代 (Hàndài, the Han dynasty), you know it's referring to one of these deeply intertwined concepts.
b.f.
the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE)the Han Chinese people (majority ethnic group)the Chinese language (as in 汉语)
Examples
- 汉。hàn dài shì Zhōngguó lìshǐ shàng yí gè qiángshèng de cháodài.The Han dynasty was a powerful period in Chinese history.
- 汉。hàn zú shì Zhōngguó rénkǒu zuì duō de mínzú.The Han Chinese are the largest ethnic group in China.
- 。Tā xué hàn yǔ xué le sān nián le.He has been studying Chinese for three years.
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