Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
珊shān(shan1)
The character 珊 (shān) refers to 'coral,' specifically the precious marine organism that is often used in jewelry and decorative items. It is commonly associated with beauty and elegance in Chinese culture, and can also symbolize longevity and prosperity.
Strokes9Radical王Frequency#10180DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Coral is highly valued in Chinese culture, often used in traditional jewelry and art, symbolizing wealth and status. In ancient times, it was believed to have protective qualities and was used in various rituals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a beautiful coral reef where colorful corals (珊) sway gently with the ocean currents. The character is composed of the radical '王' (king), suggesting the preciousness of coral, and '山' (mountain), evoking the idea of coral formations resembling underwater mountains.
Meanings of 珊
shān(shan1)
1coral
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 珊
珊Simplified
9Strokes
王Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 珊
Podcast: 珊
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 珊
Usage Notes
珊 is typically used in more formal contexts, such as in literature or when discussing jewelry. Be cautious with its pronunciation, as mispronouncing the tone can lead to confusion with other characters. Common collocations include 珊瑚 (shānhú), meaning 'coral reef.'
HSK Study Tips
珊 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, but it can be connected to other marine-related terms. Focus on understanding its usage in contexts related to nature and jewelry, which may help expand vocabulary related to these themes.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 珊 with other similar characters like 珍 (zhēn, meaning 'precious'). For example, saying 珍作为珊 (zhēn zuòwéi shān) instead of using 珊 directly can lead to misunderstanding, as 珍 specifically refers to 'precious things' without the marine context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 珊
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 珊 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 王 represents the meaning and 册 represents the sound.
1The meaning half王 carries the sense.
2The sound half册 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayjade
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 珊? 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 珊?
Decomposition of 珊
IDS Structure⿰王册
珊Full Character
=
王Wang2
left
册ce4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 珊?
How to say coral in Chinese
“coral” in Chinese is珊shān
The character 珊 (shān) refers to 'coral,' specifically the precious marine organism that is often used in jewelry and decorative items. It is commonly associated with beauty and elegance in Chinese culture, and can also symbolize longevity and prosperity.
When to use 珊
珊 is typically used in more formal contexts, such as in literature or when discussing jewelry. Be cautious with its pronunciation, as mispronouncing the tone can lead to confusion with other characters. Common collocations include 珊瑚 (shānhú), meaning 'coral reef.'
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 珊 with other similar characters like 珍 (zhēn, meaning 'precious'). For example, saying 珍作为珊 (zhēn zuòwéi shān) instead of using 珊 directly can lead to misunderstanding, as 珍 specifically refers to 'precious things' without the marine context.
Write 珊
珊
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 珊 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 珊
珊 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
苏____是个非常聪明、有主见的女子。
Susan'sa very bright and intelligent woman who knows her own mind.
