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坦白 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
坦白tǎnbáihonestHSK 7, n, rank #2160, Hard
坦白tǎnbáiforthcomingHSK 7, n, rank #2160, Hard
坦白tǎnbáito confessHSK 7, n, rank #2160, Hard
tǎnbái(tan3bai2) T3
  1. 1honest
  2. 2forthcoming
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March 24, 2026
坦白tǎnbái(tan3bai2)

坦白 (tǎnbái) refers to being honest, straightforward, or open, especially in disclosing one's thoughts or feelings. It is commonly used in contexts involving confessions or when someone is being candid in conversations, often concerning personal matters or emotions.

Frequency#2160DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture,坦白 is valued in personal relationships, as being open and honest can strengthen trust. Confessions are often seen as acts of bravery and integrity, reflecting a deep cultural appreciation for sincerity.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person standing on a flat (坦) surface, confidently speaking their truth (白) without any hidden agenda. The flatness suggests openness, just like the character's meaning of being straightforward and honest.

Meanings of 坦白

tǎnbái(tan3bai2)
1honest
2forthcoming
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 坦白

坦白Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2160Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 坦白

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Podcast: 坦白

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AI Study Notes for 坦白

Quick Contrast

坦率 (tǎnshuài) - use 坦白 when emphasizing honesty in personal disclosures, while 坦率 often refers to being frank or direct in a broader context.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person standing on a flat (坦) surface, confidently speaking their truth (白) without any hidden agenda. The flatness suggests openness, just like the character's meaning of being straightforward and honest.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using 坦白 in overly formal situations when a more casual expression would be suitable. It is often used in confessions or discussions about honesty, so avoid using it in contexts unrelated to personal sincerity.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 坦白 connects to other advanced vocabulary concerning honesty and communication. Focus on using it in complex sentences to express nuanced ideas about truthfulness and sincerity.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture,坦白 is valued in personal relationships, as being open and honest can strengthen trust. Confessions are often seen as acts of bravery and integrity, reflecting a deep cultural appreciation for sincerity.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 坦白 with 诚实 (chéngshí), using it incorrectly in contexts that require a more general term for honesty. For example, saying '他是一个坦白的人' can be misleading; it’s better to say '他是一个诚实的人' (He is an honest person).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 坦白

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Component Characters

坦tǎnflat
8 strokes土
View full entry
白báiwhite
HSK 55 strokes白
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Write 坦白

坦
白

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

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Grammar Patterns of 坦白

坦白 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). It carries 3 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.

Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

那个自己____的瘾君子在13个月前被逮捕。

The self-confessed drug addict was arrested 13 months ago.

Example Sentences for 坦白 (9)

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1
那个自己坦白的瘾君子在13个月前被逮捕。

nà gè zì jǐ tǎn bái de yǐn jūn zǐ zài13 13 gè yuè qián bèi dài。

The self-confessed drug addict was arrested 13 months ago.
2
“坦白说我觉得这相当可怕。”——“是有点吓人，”马克表示同意。

“ “ tǎn bái shuō wǒ jué dé zhè xiāng dāng kě。”——“ pà 。”——“ shì yǒu diǎn，” xià rén ，” mǎ kè biǎo。

"Frankly I found it rather frightening." — "A little startling," Mark agreed.
3
坦白地说，我不知道保罗看上她什么了。

tǎn bái dì shuō， ， wǒ bù zhī dào bǎo luó kàn shàng tā shí mó。

Frankly, I don't know what Paul sees in her.
4
坦白说，我害怕见他。

tǎn bái shuō， ， wǒ hài pà jiàn。

To tell you the truth, I was afraid to see him.
5
他的坦白引起了人们嘲讽的嘘叫。

tā de tǎn bái yǐn qǐ le rén mén cháo fěng de xū jiào。

His confession was greeted with derisive hoots.
6
坦白地说, 我愿意留下来.

tǎn bái dì shuō, , wǒ yuàn yì liú xià.

Frankly, I'd just as lief stay.
7
坦白讲，里斯先生，我没想到你会那样。

tǎn bái jiǎng， ， lǐ sī xiān， shēng ， wǒ méi xiǎng dào nǐ huì。

Really, Mr Riss, I expected better of you.
8
我可以坦白地说，我们最差的顾问挣不到一分钱。

wǒ kě yǐ tǎn bái dì shuō， ， wǒ mén zuì chà de gù wèn zhèng bù dào yī fēn。

I make it no secret that our worst consultants earn nothing.
9
“这场比赛我打得很差。”他坦白道。

“ “ zhè cháng bǐ sài wǒ dǎ dé hěn。” chà 。” tā tǎn。

"I played a very bad match," he confessed.

Cultural Notes for 坦白

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture,坦白 is valued in personal relationships, as being open and honest can strengthen trust. Confessions are often seen as acts of bravery and integrity, reflecting a deep cultural appreciation for sincerity.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, honesty is similarly valued, but the approach to confession can be more individualistic, whereas in Chinese culture, it often emphasizes group harmony and interpersonal relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions about 坦白

Yes, but it is more commonly used in personal conversations; in formal contexts, you might use terms like 诚实 (chéngshí) instead.