弹

• Pinyin: tán
• Hanzi breakdown: 弹 = 弓 (bow) + 单 (single, phonetic); simplified from 彈

Meaning

To play (a stringed or keyboard instrument); to flick; to bounce; to spring.

Used for playing piano, guitar, pipa, and other instruments that involve plucking or pressing keys. Also means to flick something with a finger, or describes objects that bounce or spring back. Note: pronounced tán for these meanings, but dàn when meaning 'bullet' or 'bomb'.

Examples

1. 她从小就开始学习弹钢琴，现在已经达到专业水平。 She started learning to play piano as a child and has now reached a professional level.
2. 他无聊地用手指弹着桌面，等待会议开始。 He idly tapped the table with his fingers, waiting for the meeting to start.
3. 这种材料弹性很好，弹一下就会恢复原状。 This material has great elasticity — flick it and it springs right back.

Usage Guide

Context: music, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你会弹吉他吗？(Can you play guitar?)
• 弹一下灰尘。(Flick off the dust.)

Don't Say

• 弹小提琴 — for violin use 拉; 弹 is for instruments with keys or plucked strings like piano and guitar

Origin & History

Phono-semantic: 弓 (bow) radical relates to the springy, elastic action of a bow; 单 (dān) provides the sound.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal