Meaning and Usage
The word "欄" (らん) refers to a column or section in printed or written materials, such as newspapers, forms, or tables. It is commonly used to indicate vertical or horizontal divisions where information is organized.
Common Contexts
You will often see "欄" used in contexts like newspapers (e.g., sports欄, opinion欄), forms (e.g., name欄, address欄), and tables or spreadsheets where data is arranged in columns.
Collocations and Patterns
- スポーツ欄: sports column in a newspaper
- コメント欄: comment section, often in surveys or online
- 名前欄: name field in a form
- 住所欄: address field
These collocations help specify the type of information expected in that column or section.
Register and Nuance
"欄" is a neutral, formal word often used in written language and official documents. It is not typically used in casual spoken conversation unless referring to written materials.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "欄" with "段" (だん), which means "step" or "level," or with "欄" being used for rows instead of columns. Remember, "欄" specifically refers to columns or sections, not rows.