Chinese Character: 卵
1. Character Basics
Radical: 卩 (jié, seal radical) or 卵 (luǎn, egg radical)
Stroke Count: 7
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: luǎn (Third tone)
3. Meaning
Egg, ovum
4. Common Words
- 卵子 (luǎnzǐ) - ovum, egg cell
- 产卵 (chǎnluǎn) - to lay eggs
- 鸟卵 (niǎoluǎn) - bird's egg
- 卵细胞 (luǎnxìbāo) - egg cell
- 卵巢 (luǎncháo) - ovary
- 鹅卵石 (éluǎnshí) - cobblestone
- 卵生 (luǎnshēng) - oviparous (egg-laying)
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "卵" is primarily used as a noun referring to eggs or ova. It can be used in several ways:
1. As a standalone noun:
- 鸟下了一个卵。 (Niǎo xiàle yīgè luǎn.) - The bird laid an egg.
2. In compound words:
- Often combined with other characters to form words related to eggs, reproduction, or egg-shaped objects, such as 卵子 (luǎnzǐ, ovum) and 鹅卵石 (éluǎnshí, cobblestone).
3. In scientific and technical terms:
- Used in biological and medical terminology related to reproduction, such as 卵细胞 (luǎnxìbāo, egg cell) and 卵巢 (luǎncháo, ovary).
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the character "卵" has been used for thousands of years to refer to eggs and the concept of reproduction. Eggs have long been an important part of Chinese cuisine and are often associated with fertility and new life. The character also appears in several idioms and expressions. For example, "危如累卵" (wēi rú lěiluǎn) literally means "as dangerous as a pile of eggs" and is used to describe a very precarious situation. Additionally, the character "卵" is sometimes used in a more vulgar context to refer to male genitalia, though this usage is considered impolite in formal settings.
7. Example Sentence
Chinese: 鸟类通过产卵来繁殖后代。
Pinyin: Niǎolèi tōngguò chǎnluǎn lái fánzhí hòudài.
English: Birds reproduce by laying eggs.
8. Memory Tips
The character "卵" can be remembered as a pictographic representation of an egg. The top part resembles the rounded shape of an egg, while the two dots in the middle can be thought of as representing the yolk. Alternatively, you can break down the character into its components: 卩 (jié, seal radical) at the bottom and the rest of the character forming the shape of an egg. This combination can help you remember that "卵" means egg.