Meanings of 烂
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About 烂
Podcast: 烂
Podcast: 烂
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AI Study Notes for 烂
坏 (huài) - use 烂 (làn) when emphasizing decomposition or extreme deterioration, whereas 坏 (huài) is more general for 'bad' or 'broken'.
Imagine a rotten fruit that has become so soft and mushy that it falls apart in your hands. The character 烂 looks like a combination of fire (represented by the top part) and something decaying (the bottom part represents soil or earth), reminding you that something can be both cooked and spoiled.
Be careful not to confuse 烂 with similar-sounding words that have positive or neutral connotations. This term is quite informal and often used in conversational contexts. Common collocations include '烂苹果' (rotten apple) or '烂掉' (to rot away).
As an HSK Level 5 word, 烂 connects well with other verbs describing states or conditions, such as '坏' (huài - bad) and '破' (pò - broken). Focus on using it in sentences describing food or situations to reinforce its meaning.
In Chinese culture, the concept of food being '烂' is particularly relevant during festivals when food quality is emphasized. For example, serving fresh, well-cooked dishes is a sign of respect towards guests.
Learners often misuse 烂 by applying it to neutral or positive contexts, such as saying '这个电影烂' (This movie is good), which should instead be '这个电影很好' (This movie is good). Remember, 烂 is negative!
Pronunciation of 烂
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Etymology of 烂
Phonosemantic compound. 火 represents the meaning and 兰 represents the sound. Simplified form of 爛.
fire
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 烂?
Decomposition of 烂
Identify the Components
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Write 烂
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Practice writing 烂 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 烂
烂 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 14 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
你一直穿你的旧衣服，直到穿____了为止吗？
Do you wear your old clothes until they fall to pieces?
Common Confusions with 烂
Same pronunciation but different meanings and usages.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "soft"?
Usage Notes for 烂
Learners sometimes confuse 烂 with similar characters like 滥. 烂 should specifically refer to things that are rotten or well-cooked, whereas 滥 relates to excess or abuse.
这个水果烂了。
This fruit has rotted.
他做事情太滥了。
He is too excessive in what he does.
Fill in the Blank
这个水果____了。
This fruit has rotted.
Example Sentences for 烂 (10)
Cultural Notes for 烂
In Chinese culture, the concept of food being '烂' is particularly relevant during festivals when food quality is emphasized. For example, serving fresh, well-cooked dishes is a sign of respect towards guests.
Word Family of 烂
Compound Meaning
What does 烂 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 烂
烂 (làn) specifically refers to something that is overly soft, often due to spoilage or overcooking, while 软 (ruǎn) simply means 'soft' without the negative connotation. For instance, bread can be 软 if it's fresh and fluffy, but it may become 烂 if left out too long and begins to rot.