炭 (tàn) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 炭 (tàn) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 炭 (tàn) means "Charcoal". with 9 strokes and the radical 火.

Q: How do you write 炭 stroke by stroke?

炭 has 9 strokes. The radical is 火. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 炭 and 灶?

炭 (tàn) and 灶 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 炭?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 火. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 炭?

Common words containing 炭 include: 木炭 (mù tàn) — charcoal; 木炭画 (mù tàn huà) — charcoal drawing; 烧炭 (shāo tàn) — To burn charcoal.

How to Write 炭

The character 炭 (tàn) is written with 9 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 火 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

炭 is pronounced tàn in Mandarin Chinese. It means Charcoal.

Common Words with 炭

木炭 mù tàn

charcoal

木炭画 mù tàn huà

charcoal drawing

烧炭 shāo tàn

To burn charcoal

Example Sentences

我们买了一些木炭。

wǒ men mǎi le yī xiē mù tàn

We bought some charcoal.

他在画木炭画。

tā zài huà mù tàn huà

He is drawing a charcoal sketch.

冬天要烧炭取暖。

dōng tiān yào shāo tàn qǔ nuǎn

Charcoal is burned for warmth in winter.

Similar Characters

灶 zào

灸 jiǔ

灼 zhuó

Practice Writing 炭 (tàn)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 炭 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 炭

What does 炭 (tàn) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 炭 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 炭 and 灶?

What mistakes do learners make writing 炭?

What common words use 炭?

How to Write 炭 (tàn)