Learn a Chinese Character - 弹 (Tán/Dàn) - Pluck; Bullet

1. Character Basics

Radical: 弓 (Bow radical, related to elasticity or shooting)

Stroke Count: 11 (Number of strokes: 11)

Structure Analysis: 形声字，从弓（与弓箭、弹性相关），单声（dān，表音）。本义指用弹弓发射（如“弹射”），引申为弹性（如“弹性”）；另一读音dàn指弹丸、子弹（如“子弹”）。(Phonetic-semantic character: "弓" (bow radical) + "单" (phonetic component). Originally means "shoot with a slingshot" (e.g., "弹射" - shoot), extended to "elasticity" (e.g., "弹性" - elasticity). Another pronunciation "dàn" refers to "bullet" (e.g., "子弹" - bullet).)

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Tán（第二声，动词） / Dàn（第四声，名词） (Tán: second tone (verb); Dàn: fourth tone (noun))

3. Meaning

"弹" has two pronunciations and meanings:
1. Tán (second tone, verb): Pluck (strings), shoot with a slingshot, or elasticity (e.g., "弹琴" - play a string instrument, "弹簧" - spring).
2. Dàn (fourth tone, noun): Bullet, projectile (e.g., "子弹" - bullet, "炮弹" - cannonball). “弹”有两种读音和含义：
1. Tán（第二声，动词）：弹奏（琴弦）、用弹弓发射或指弹性（如“弹琴”“弹簧”）；
2. Dàn（第四声，名词）：子弹、弹丸（如“子弹”“炮弹”）。)

4. Common Words

• 弹琴 (tán qín) Play a string instrument
• 弹性 (tán xìng) Elasticity
• 子弹 (zǐ dàn) Bullet
• 炮弹 (pào dàn) Cannonball

5. Grammar & Usage

"弹" as a verb (Tán) often collocates with "琴" (instrument), "簧" (spring) (e.g., "弹琴" - play piano). As a noun (Dàn), it collocates with "子" (child), "炮" (cannon) (e.g., "子弹" - bullet). “弹”作动词（Tán）时，常与“琴”“簧”等搭配（如“弹琴”“弹簧”）；作名词（Dàn）时，常与“子”“炮”等搭配（如“子弹”“炮弹”）。)

6. Cultural Background

Traditional slingshots ("弹弓") were used for hunting. Modern "弹" is widely used in military terms (e.g., "弹药" - ammunition). The idiom "弹尽粮绝" (out of bullets and food) describes a desperate situation. 传统“弹弓”用于狩猎；现代“弹”多用于军事术语（如“弹药”）；成语“弹尽粮绝”形容绝境。)

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

Associate "弹" with its radical "弓" (bow) and pronunciation: "Tán" for actions involving plucking/elasticity (e.g., "弹琴" - play), "Dàn" for projectiles (e.g., "子弹" - bullet). 联想“弹”的部首“弓”（与弹性、发射相关），结合读音记忆：Tán（动词，弹奏/弹性），Dàn（名词，子弹）。)