How to Write 毯 (tǎn) — Meaning “blanket / rug”

Picture a fuzzy wool blanket (the left side 毛) sitting next to two cozy flames (the right side 炎), keeping you warm. The sound "tǎn" is like "tan" — imagine lying on a blanket to get a tan.

Write the left radical 毛 first (4 strokes: horizontal, horizontal, vertical, horizontal curl). Then write the right side 炎 (8 strokes: two stacked fire components). A common mistake is making the two fires too tall or uneven; keep them balanced and the same width as the left side.

毪 (mù) has the same radical 毛 but uses 牟 on the right, referring to a rare woolen fabric. 毫 (háo) has 毛 on top with a different bottom structure; it means a tiny hair or a unit of measure. Visually, 毯 has two flames (炎) on the right, while the others have different components.

You find 毯 in everyday words like 毯子 (blanket), 地毯 (carpet), and 毛毯 (woolen blanket). It is not in the HSK list, but it is common in daily life, especially for bedding and home furnishings. In Chinese culture, 地毯 is often used as a decorative floor covering in living rooms.

Common words containing 毯 include: 毯子 (tǎn zi) — blanket / rug; 地毯 (dì tǎn) — Carpet; rug; 毛毯 (máo tǎn) — Blanket.