Learn a Chinese Character - 滥

1. Character Basics

Radical: 氵 (water radical)

Stroke Count: 13

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: làn (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

Excessive; indiscriminate; overflowing; flooding; shoddy; corrupt; to abuse

4. Common Words

• 泛滥 (fànlàn) - to overflow; to flood; to spread unchecked; to run rampant
• 滥用 (lànyòng) - to abuse; to misuse; to overuse
• 滥杀 (lànshā) - to kill indiscriminately; to massacre
• 滥竽充数 (lànyúchōngshù) - to fill a position without adequate qualifications; to pass oneself off as having ability
• 滥伐 (lànfá) - to cut down trees indiscriminately; deforestation
• 滥觞 (lànshāng) - origin; source; beginning
• 滥交 (lànjiāo) - promiscuous relationships; indiscriminate socializing
• 滥竽充数 (lànyúchōngshù) - to be a passenger; to be a fake or imposter

5. Grammar & Usage

The character "滥" is primarily used as an adjective meaning "excessive" or "indiscriminate". It can also be used as a verb meaning "to abuse" or "to overflow".

Grammar Patterns:

• 泛+滥: 泛滥 (to overflow; to flood)
• 滥+用: 滥用 (to abuse; to misuse)
• 滥+杀: 滥杀 (to kill indiscriminately)
• 滥+竽+充+数: 滥竽充数 (to fill a position without adequate qualifications)
• 滥+伐: 滥伐 (to cut down trees indiscriminately)
• 滥+觞: 滥觞 (origin; source)
• 滥+交: 滥交 (promiscuous relationships)
• 滥+竽+充+数: 滥竽充数 (to be a passenger)

6. Cultural Background

The character "滥" has significant cultural connotations in Chinese society, particularly in relation to concepts of moderation, propriety, and responsibility.

One of the most well-known idioms containing "滥" is "滥竽充数" (lànyúchōngshù), which comes from the ancient Chinese fable "The Man Who Pretended to Play the Yu". This story teaches the importance of genuine ability and warns against pretending to have skills one doesn't possess.

In traditional Chinese philosophy, especially Confucianism, the concept of "not being excessive" (不过分, bù guòfèn) is highly valued. The character "滥" embodies the opposite - excessiveness and lack of restraint, which is generally viewed negatively in Chinese culture.

The character's structure, with "氵" (water radical) on the left and "蓝" (blue) on the right, visually suggests the idea of water overflowing or becoming too much, which aligns with its meaning of excessiveness.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "滥" (làn) consists of two parts:

• The radical "氵" (water radical) on the left, indicating that the meaning is related to water or fluidity
• The component "蓝" (lán, blue) on the right, which provides the pronunciation

To remember the character, think of it as "water (氵) that has become too much or overflowing, with a pronunciation similar to 'lán' (蓝)".

Associate the character with the well-known idiom "滥竽充数" (lànyúchōngshù) and its meaning of pretending to have abilities one doesn't possess.

Visualize a scenario where water is overflowing or flooding, which helps connect the character's appearance (with water radical) to its meaning of excessiveness.

Break down the character into its components and practice writing it to reinforce your memory of its structure and stroke count.