Chinese Character: 旱
1. Character Basics
Radical: 日/rì (sun)
Stroke Count: 7 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Hàn (Fourth tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: Drought; dry; arid
Extended Meaning: Parched; waterless; lacking moisture
Additional Meaning: Used to describe dry conditions, especially related to weather or land
4. Common Words
- 干旱 (gān hàn) - Drought
Example: 这个地区今年遭受了严重的干旱。(Zhège dìqū jīnnián zāoshòule yánzhòng de gān hàn.) - This area has suffered from severe drought this year.
- 旱情 (hàn qíng) - Drought situation
Example: 政府正在密切关注旱情的发展。(Zhèngfǔ zhèngzài mìqiè guānzhù hàn qíng de fāzhǎn.) - The government is closely monitoring the development of the drought situation.
- 旱灾 (hàn zāi) - Drought disaster
Example: 旱灾给当地农业造成了巨大损失。(Hàn zāi gěi dāngdì nóngyè zàochéngle jùdà sǔnshī.) - The drought disaster caused huge losses to local agriculture.
- 旱田 (hàn tián) - Dry land (non-irrigated farmland)
Example: 这里的农民主要种植旱田作物。(Zhèlǐ de nóngmín zhǔyào zhòngzhí hàn tián zuòwù.) - Farmers here mainly grow dry land crops.
- 旱涝 (hàn lào) - Drought and flood
Example: 这个地区经常遭受旱涝灾害。(Zhège dìqū jīngcháng zāoshòu hàn lào zāihài.) - This area often suffers from drought and flood disasters.
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective
Usage as Noun: Refers to drought or dry conditions.
Usage as Adjective: Describes something dry or arid.
Common Structures:
- 干旱 (gān hàn) - Dry/drought
- 抗旱 (kàng hàn) - Fight drought
- 防旱 (fáng hàn) - Prevent drought
- 旱情 (hàn qíng) - Drought situation
- 旱田 (hàn tián) - Dry land
Note: "旱" is often used in agricultural and environmental contexts, particularly when discussing water shortages or dry weather conditions.
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the character "旱" (hàn) has significant agricultural and historical importance:
Agricultural Civilization: China has been an agricultural civilization for thousands of years, and water management has always been crucial. Drought (旱) has historically been one of the most feared natural disasters as it directly impacts crop production and food security.
Ancient Water Management: The Chinese developed sophisticated irrigation systems and water conservation techniques to combat drought, such as the Dujiangyan Irrigation System built over 2,200 years ago.
Mythology and Rituals: There are many Chinese myths and folk tales about heroes who fought drought, such as the story of Hou Yi shooting down nine suns to save the earth from scorching heat.
Modern Context: Even today, drought remains a significant challenge in many parts of China, making water conservation and efficient agricultural practices important national priorities.
7. Example Sentence
Sentence 1: 连续三个月没有下雨，导致了严重的干旱。(Liánxù sān gè yuè méiyǒu xiàyǔ, dǎozhìle yánzhòng de gān hàn.)
Translation: Three consecutive months without rain have led to severe drought.
Sentence 2: 政府正在组织农民们抗旱。(Zhèngfǔ zhèngzài zǔzhī nóngmínmen kàng hàn.)
Translation: The government is organizing farmers to fight the drought.
Sentence 3: 这些植物特别适合在旱地上生长。(Zhèxiē zhíwù tèbié shìhé zài hàn dì shàng shēngzhǎng.)
Translation: These plants are particularly suitable for growing on dry land.
8. Memory Tips
1. Break it down: The character "旱" consists of two parts - "日" (sun) on top and "干" (dry) below. Imagine the sun shining strongly, making the ground dry and parched.
2. Create a vivid image: Picture a drought-stricken landscape with cracked earth and a blazing sun in the sky. Connect this image to the character "旱" (hàn).
3. Stroke order: Practice writing the character following the correct stroke order: vertical stroke, horizontal stroke, horizontal stroke, horizontal stroke, vertical stroke, horizontal stroke, and vertical stroke.
4. Use association: Associate "旱" with related words like 干旱 (drought), 旱灾 (drought disaster), and 抗旱 (fight drought) to reinforce your memory.
5. Remember the pronunciation: "旱" (hàn) has the same pronunciation as "汗" (hàn - sweat), but they have different meanings and radicals. Remember that "旱" has the sun radical "日", while "汗" has the water radical "氵".