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攔 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
攔lánto block, to hinder, to obstructx, 20 strokes, radical 扌
lán(lan2) T2
  1. 1to block, to hinder, to obstruct
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March 24, 2026

攔lán(lan2)

The character 攔 (lán) means to block, hinder, or obstruct something. It is often used in contexts where an obstacle prevents progress or movement, whether physically or metaphorically. This term can apply to various situations, such as traffic blockages or obstacles in conversation.

Strokes20Radical扌
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of obstruction is often linked to societal harmony; for instance, blocking a road can symbolize disruption to community order. This reflects the importance placed on maintaining smooth interactions in both public and private life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large 'lan' (land) barrier blocking your path, preventing you from moving forward. The character 攔 combines the radical for 'to stop' with the form that suggests a barrier, helping you remember its meaning of obstruction.

Meanings of 攔

lán(lan2)
1to block, to hinder, to obstruct
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 攔 means.

About 攔

攔Simplified
20Strokes
扌Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 攔

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Podcast: 攔

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AI Study Notes for 攔

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 攔 with characters like 拦 (lán), which has a similar meaning but can be more commonly used in everyday speech. It's important to note that 攔 is less frequently used and may come off as more formal or literary. Be cautious of the tone; ensure you pronounce it with a rising tone to avoid confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

As 攔 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, focus on its components and similar words like 拦, which is HSK level 4. Understanding the context in which both characters are used will help reinforce your learning.

Common Mistakes

Learners might mistakenly use 攔 in casual conversations when 拦 would be more appropriate, leading to overly formal sounding language. For example, saying '我被攔在门口' (Wǒ bèi lán zài ménkǒu) instead of '我被拦在门口' (Wǒ bèi lán zài ménkǒu).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 攔

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Etymology of 攔

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 兰 represents the sound. Simplified form of 攔.

Memory Hint

hand

Semantic (meaning)扌
+
Phonetic (sound)闌
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

攔 = 扌 + 闌. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 攔

IDS Structure⿰扌闌
攔Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
闌lan2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 攔?

How to say to block, to hinder, to obstruct in Chinese

“to block, to hinder, to obstruct” in Chinese is攔lán

The character 攔 (lán) means to block, hinder, or obstruct something. It is often used in contexts where an obstacle prevents progress or movement, whether physically or metaphorically. This term can apply to various situations, such as traffic blockages or obstacles in conversation.

When to use 攔

Learners often confuse 攔 with characters like 拦 (lán), which has a similar meaning but can be more commonly used in everyday speech. It's important to note that 攔 is less frequently used and may come off as more formal or literary. Be cautious of the tone; ensure you pronounce it with a rising tone to avoid confusion with other words.

What learners get wrong

Learners might mistakenly use 攔 in casual conversations when 拦 would be more appropriate, leading to overly formal sounding language. For example, saying '我被攔在门口' (Wǒ bèi lán zài ménkǒu) instead of '我被拦在门口' (Wǒ bèi lán zài ménkǒu).

Write 攔

攔

Practice writing 攔 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 攔

Words Containing This Character11
拦lánto obstruct攔
拦住to stop攔住
拦截to intercept攔截
阻拦zǔlánto stop阻攔
拦网to block攔網
拦路to waylay攔路
拦路虎stumbling block攔路虎
拦腰to hold by the waist攔腰
拦阻to block攔阻
拦劫to mug攔劫
拦河坝a dam across a river攔河壩
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 攔

What does 拦 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 攔

You can say '他被车子攔住了' (Tā bèi chēzi lán zhù le), meaning 'He was blocked by the car.'

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