Chinese Character: 欢
1. Character Basics
Radical: 欠 (qiàn) - Deficit radical (related to breathing or expressing emotion)
Stroke Count: 6 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Huān (First tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: Happy; joyful; pleased; delighted; glad
Extended Meanings:
- Enjoyment; pleasure
- To be happy; to rejoice
- To welcome; to greet with joy
- Festive; lively
Additional Notes: The character "欢" combines the component "又" (hand) and the radical "欠" (related to breathing or expressing emotion), suggesting the physical expression of joy.
4. Common Words
- 欢乐 (huān lè) - Happy; joyful; merry
Example: 孩子们在公园里欢乐地玩耍。(Hái zi men zài gōng yuán lǐ huān lè de wán shuǎ.) - The children are playing happily in the park.
- 欢迎 (huān yíng) - Welcome
Example: 我们热烈欢迎各位来宾。(Wǒ men rè liè huān yíng gè wèi lái bīn.) - We warmly welcome all the guests.
- 喜欢 (xǐ huan) - To like; to be fond of
Example: 我喜欢吃中国菜。(Wǒ xǐ huan chī zhōng guó cài.) - I like eating Chinese food.
- 欢笑 (huān xiào) - Happy laughter; to laugh heartily
Example: 教室里充满了孩子们的欢笑。(Jiào shì lǐ chōng mǎn le hái zi men de huān xiào.) - The classroom is filled with children's happy laughter.
- 欢快 (huān kuài) - Cheerful; lively
Example: 小鸟在枝头欢快地歌唱。(Xiǎo niǎo zài zhī tóu huān kuài de gē chàng.) - The birds are singing cheerfully on the branches.
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Adjective; Noun; Verb
Common Usage:
- As an adjective to describe a state of happiness or joy
- As a noun to refer to joy or happiness
- As part of compound words expressing positive emotions
- In greetings and welcome expressions
Common Structures:
- 欢 + 乐/笑/迎 (happy + adjective/verb)
- 喜欢 + Noun (to like something/someone)
- 感到 + 欢乐 (to feel happy)
- 热烈 + 欢迎 (warmly welcome)
Usage Notes: "欢" is often used in combination with other characters to express various degrees and types of happiness.
6. Cultural Background
Value of Happiness: In Chinese culture, happiness (欢乐) is highly valued and is considered one of the fundamental goals of life.
Social Harmony: The character "欢" often appears in contexts related to social gatherings, festivals, and family reunions, reflecting the importance of harmonious relationships.
Traditional Festivals: Many Chinese festivals, such as the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, emphasize creating a joyful atmosphere with family and friends.
Expressions of Joy: Chinese culture has various traditional ways to express joy, including lion dances, dragon dances, and fireworks, all of which convey the spirit of "欢" (happiness).
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
今天是个欢乐的日子。(Jīn tiān shì gè huān lè de rì zi.)
Translation: Today is a happy day.
Example 2:
我们全家都很喜欢这个礼物。(Wǒ men quán jiā dōu hěn xǐ huan zhè ge lǐ wù.)
Translation: Our whole family likes this gift very much.
Example 3:
节日里到处充满了欢声笑语。(Jié rì lǐ dào chù chōng mǎn le huān shēng xiào yǔ.)
Translation: During the festival, there is laughter and joy everywhere.
8. Memory Tips
1. Component Breakdown: The character "欢" consists of the component "又" (hand) and the radical "欠" (related to breathing or expressing emotion). Together they symbolize the physical expression of joy.
2. Stroke Order: Practice writing the character in the correct stroke order to help with memorization. The stroke order is: horizontal, vertical, horizontal, left-falling stroke, dot, right-falling stroke with hook.
3. Word Association: Associate "欢" with common words like "欢乐" (happy) and "喜欢" (to like) to reinforce its meaning.
4. Sentence Practice: Create your own sentences using "欢" to become more comfortable with its usage.
5. Cultural Connection: Learn about how "欢" is used in Chinese festivals and celebrations to understand its cultural significance.