fence, railing, balustrade

JLPT N5 9 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Meaning and Usage

The character (lán) primarily refers to a physical barrier such as a fence or railing, often used for safety or separation. It also commonly appears in compound words to denote a section or column, especially in printed media like newspapers or forms.

Common Collocations

  • (tiě lán): iron railing, emphasizing material and sturdiness.
  • 体育 (tǐyù lán): sports section in newspapers.
  • 留言 (liúyán lán): message box or comment section, often on websites or forms.

Usage Notes

When is used to mean a physical railing, it usually implies a protective or dividing function. In media or documents, refers to a designated column or section, which helps organize content clearly. It is a formal term and often appears in written language.

Common Confusions

Don't confuse with (lán), which means basket. Although they share the same pinyin, their meanings and usages differ significantly.

Summary

Use when talking about fences, railings, or sections/columns in texts or forms. It is a versatile noun that helps specify physical boundaries or organizational divisions.

Example Sentences

An iron railing was installed on the balcony to prevent children from

The sports section of the newspaper reported yesterday's match results.

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