HSK 7, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 卩, rank #9924, Hard
luǎn(luan3) T3
1egg, ovum, roe; ovary, testes; to spawn
2spawn
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March 24, 2026
卵luǎn(luan3)
The character 卵 (luǎn) primarily means 'egg' and can refer to various types of eggs, including those of birds and fish. It is used in biological contexts, such as discussing ovums or reproductive cells, and can also imply the act of spawning in certain contexts.
Strokes7Radical卩Frequency#9924DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, eggs symbolize fertility and new beginnings. They are often featured in traditional celebrations and are associated with various culinary practices, such as during the Spring Festival when boiled eggs are dyed and decorated.
Memory Tip
Imagine an egg (卵) that is round and fragile. The character resembles a cracked egg, with the top part open, hinting at what’s inside. Picture a chicken (which lays eggs) saying 'luǎn' as it lays its eggs, reinforcing both the sound and meaning.
Meanings of 卵
luǎn(luan3)
1egg, ovum, roe; ovary, testes; to spawn
2spawn
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 卵
卵Simplified
7Strokes
卩Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 卵
Podcast: 卵
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AI Study Notes for 卵
Quick Contrast
蛋 (dàn) - use 卵 (luǎn) when referring to eggs in a biological context, while 蛋 (dàn) is more commonly used for culinary purposes.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine an egg (卵) that is round and fragile. The character resembles a cracked egg, with the top part open, hinting at what’s inside. Picture a chicken (which lays eggs) saying 'luǎn' as it lays its eggs, reinforcing both the sound and meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 卵 with other similar characters like 蛋 (dàn), which specifically means 'egg' in the culinary sense. 卵 is more formal and used in scientific or biological discussions. Be careful with tones, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
While 卵 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for learners at HSK level 4 and above due to its biological context. Focus on understanding how it connects with words related to reproduction and biology, such as 胚胎 (pēitāi, embryo) or 产卵 (chǎnluǎn, to lay eggs).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, eggs symbolize fertility and new beginnings. They are often featured in traditional celebrations and are associated with various culinary practices, such as during the Spring Festival when boiled eggs are dyed and decorated.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 卵 with 蛋 (dàn), leading to incorrect usage in culinary contexts, such as saying '我想吃一个卵' instead of '我想吃一个蛋' for 'I want to eat an egg.' Always ensure you use 卵 in appropriate scientific or formal contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 卵
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Grammar Patterns of 卵
卵 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 2 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
两天以后，他们把受精____重新植入了我的体内。
Two days later, they implanted the fertilized eggs back inside me.
Example Sentences for 卵 (10)
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1
两天以后，他们把受精卵重新植入了我的体内。
liǎng tiān yǐ hòu， ， tā mén bǎ shòu jīng luǎn zhòng xīn zhí rù le wǒ de tǐ。
Two days later, they implanted the fertilized eggs back inside me.
2
一段石阶从鹅卵石路上一直向上直通城墙。
yī duàn shí jiē cóng é luǎn shí lù shàng yī zhí xiàng shàng zhí tōng chéng qiáng。
A number of staircases ascend from the cobbled streets onto the ramparts.
3
广场上挤满了人，鹅卵石铺就的街道上满是五颜六色的花朵。
guǎng cháng shàng jǐ mǎn le rén， ， é luǎn shí pū jiù de jiē dào shàng mǎn shì wǔ yán liù sè de huā。
The square was packed, and the cobbled streets flowed with coloured petals.
4
鸟儿回到巢里继续孵卵。
niǎo ér huí dào cháo lǐ jì xù fū luǎn。
The birds returned to their nests and continued to incubate the eggs.
The bird mistook the pebble for egg and tried to hatch it.
10
冬芽卵形被鳞片.
dōng yá luǎn xíng bèi lín piàn.
Bud ovoid quilt scale of winter.
Cultural Notes for 卵
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, eggs symbolize fertility and new beginnings. They are often featured in traditional celebrations and are associated with various culinary practices, such as during the Spring Festival when boiled eggs are dyed and decorated.
Word Family of 卵
Words Containing This Character20
卵luǎnegg
卵巢ovary
卵子testicles
输卵管oviduct輸卵管
排卵to ovulate
产卵to lay eggs產卵
鹅卵石pebble鵝卵石
受精卵fertilized ovum
卵泡follicle
卵石cobble
卵磷脂lecithin (phospholipid found in egg yolk)
卵黄egg yolk卵黃
杀鸡取卵lit. to kill the chicken to get the eggs (idiom)殺雞取卵
孵卵to hatch
卵形oval
以卵击石to invite disaster by overreaching oneself以卵擊石
卵黄囊yolk sac (ectodermal cells attaching fetus to uterus before the development of the placenta)卵黃囊
卵裂cleavage of fertilized ovum into cells
危如累卵in a dangerous state
河卵石pebble
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 卵 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 卵
No, 卵 is more commonly found in scientific or formal discussions rather than casual everyday speech.
Yes, it can also refer to ovums in a biological context or be used to describe the spawning process.
It is pronounced as 'luǎn,' with a falling-rising tone, which is crucial for conveying the correct meaning.
