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March 24, 2026
染rǎn(ran3)
The character 染 (rǎn) primarily means 'to dye' or 'to color' something. It can also refer to the act of catching a disease or acquiring negative habits. This term is commonly used in contexts related to textiles, health, and moral behavior, highlighting both physical and metaphorical transformations.
Strokes9Radical木Frequency#3633DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dyeing fabrics has a rich history, often associated with traditional arts and crafts. The practice of dyeing is significant during festivals where colorful textiles are worn, symbolizing joy and good fortune.
Memory Tip
Imagine a painter using colors to 'dye' a canvas, with the character's left part (木) representing a tree or wood, hinting at the natural materials used in dyes. The right part (染) can be visualized as the action of applying color, making it easier to remember the pronunciation 'rǎn' as you think of painting with vibrant hues.
Meanings of 染
rǎn(ran3)
1to dye
2to catch (a disease)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 染
染Simplified
9Strokes
木Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3633Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 染
Podcast: 染
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AI Study Notes for 染
Quick Contrast
染 (dye) vs 涂 (paint) — use 染 for changing color through soaking or infusion, while 涂 refers to applying a layer of color on a surface.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a painter using colors to 'dye' a canvas, with the character's left part (木) representing a tree or wood, hinting at the natural materials used in dyes. The right part (染) can be visualized as the action of applying color, making it easier to remember the pronunciation 'rǎn' as you think of painting with vibrant hues.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is using the word in contexts that require a different word for 'to catch' or 'to acquire.' Ensure that you use 染 for dyeing or the context of diseases and negative habits. This term is more formal; in casual conversations, simpler terms may be preferred.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 染 connects with other advanced vocabulary regarding health and art. Students should focus on the nuances of its meanings and practice using it in sentences related to dyeing techniques or discussing health issues.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dyeing fabrics has a rich history, often associated with traditional arts and crafts. The practice of dyeing is significant during festivals where colorful textiles are worn, symbolizing joy and good fortune.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 染 with 传染 (chuánrǎn), which specifically means 'to infect.' For example, saying '我染了感冒' (I dyed a cold) instead of '我感染了感冒' (I caught a cold) is a common error.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 染
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Grammar Patterns of 染
染 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
The contamination of the sea around Capri may be just the beginning.
10
我买了条非常好的扎染丝巾。
wǒ mǎi le tiáo fēi cháng hǎo de zā rǎn sī jīn。
I bought a great tie-dyed silk scarf.
Cultural Notes for 染
💡Did you know?
In traditional Chinese art, dyeing is not just about color; it's about conveying emotions and stories. The choice of colors can reflect the mood of the piece or the intended message behind it, making dyeing an essential aspect of artistic expression.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, dyeing fabrics has a rich history, often associated with traditional arts and crafts. The practice of dyeing is significant during festivals where colorful textiles are worn, symbolizing joy and good fortune.
Word Family of 染
Compounds2
媣
蒅
Words Containing This Character20
感染gǎnrǎninfection
污染wūrǎnpollution
染rǎnto dye
传染chuánrǎnto infect傳染
传染病chuánrǎnbìnginfectious disease傳染病
染色dye
染色体chromosome染色體
污染物pollutant
染上to catch (a disease)
渲染rendering (computing)
环境污染environmental pollution環境污染
感染力gǎnrǎnlìinspiration
传染性infectious傳染性
染料dye
感染者infected person
染指abbr. for 染指於鼎|染指于鼎
水污染water pollution
染发rinse染髮
沾染to be infected by
一尘不染spotless一塵不染
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 感染 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 染
染 is categorized at HSK level 5, indicating that it is typically learned by students who have a more advanced understanding of the Chinese language. This level includes vocabulary that is useful for discussing complex ideas and concepts.
Some examples include '染色' (to dye color), '染料' (dye), and '染病' (to catch a disease). These phrases showcase the versatility of the character in different contexts. It's important to learn these collocations to enhance your vocabulary.
You can use 染 in a sentence like '我想染我的头发' (I want to dye my hair). It's also common in expressions like '染病' (to catch a disease) or '染上坏习惯' (to acquire bad habits). Understanding the context is key to using this character correctly.
染 (rǎn) means 'to dye' or 'to color.' It can also refer to catching a disease or acquiring bad habits. In the context of art, it denotes adding color washes to a painting. Overall, it conveys the idea of transformation through color.
Yes, 染 can refer to dyeing hair as well, particularly in contexts discussing fashion or personal grooming.
No, while it can indicate acquiring bad habits, it is also used positively in terms of creative activities like dyeing fabrics or paintings.
