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瓒 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
瓒zànceremonial libation cupnr, 20 strokes, radical 王
瓒zànlibation cupunknown, 20 strokes, radical 王
zàn(zan4) T4
  1. 1ceremonial libation cup
  2. 2libation cup
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

瓒(瓚)zàn(zan4)

The character 瓒 (zàn) refers to a ceremonial libation cup used in ancient Chinese rituals, particularly in the context of offerings to ancestors or deities. It symbolizes respect and reverence, often associated with ceremonial practices and traditional rites in Chinese culture.

Strokes20Radical王
Cultural Note

In ancient China, the use of 瓒 in rituals was part of Confucian practices emphasizing filial piety and respect for ancestors, reflecting the importance of family and tradition in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a grand ceremony where a beautifully crafted cup (the shape of 瓒) is being filled with wine to honor the ancestors. The character has a 'cup' radical (the bottom part) that visually represents a container, plus a 'great' component (the top part) suggesting something significant or important.

Meanings of 瓒

zàn(zan4)
1ceremonial libation cup
2libation cup
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 瓒

瓒Simplified
瓚Traditional
20Strokes
王Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 瓒

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Podcast: 瓒

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AI Study Notes for 瓒

Usage Notes

This term is fairly formal and is mainly used in historical or religious contexts. Learners might confuse 瓒 with other similar characters related to cups or vessels; ensure to focus on the ceremonial aspect. The tone should be pronounced correctly as it affects meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 瓒 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 5 themes around culture and tradition. Students should focus on understanding its usage in historical texts and cultural discussions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 瓒 with similar characters like 杯 (bēi - cup), which is more general. Remember that 瓒 specifically refers to a ceremonial context, while 杯 can be used in everyday situations.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 瓒

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Etymology of 瓒

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

Phonosemantic compound. 王 represents the meaning and 赞 represents the sound. Simplified form of 瓚.

Memory Hint

jade

Semantic (meaning)王
+
Phonetic (sound)赞
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 瓒

Phonosemantic compound. 王 represents the meaning and 赞 represents the sound. Simplified form of 瓚.

  1. 1The meaning half王 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half赞 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayjade
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 瓒? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 瓒?

Decomposition of 瓒

IDS Structure⿰王赞
瓒Full Character
=
王Wang2
left
赞zan4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 瓒?

How to say ceremonial libation cup in Chinese

“ceremonial libation cup” in Chinese is瓒zàn

The character 瓒 (zàn) refers to a ceremonial libation cup used in ancient Chinese rituals, particularly in the context of offerings to ancestors or deities. It symbolizes respect and reverence, often associated with ceremonial practices and traditional rites in Chinese culture.

When to use 瓒

This term is fairly formal and is mainly used in historical or religious contexts. Learners might confuse 瓒 with other similar characters related to cups or vessels; ensure to focus on the ceremonial aspect. The tone should be pronounced correctly as it affects meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 瓒 with similar characters like 杯 (bēi - cup), which is more general. Remember that 瓒 specifically refers to a ceremonial context, while 杯 can be used in everyday situations.

Write 瓒

瓒

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 瓒

Words Containing This Character1
瓒zànlibation cup瓚
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 瓒 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 瓒

A 瓒 is significant as it represents respect and reverence during offerings, making it a vital part of traditional ceremonies.

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