拦

• Pinyin: lán
• Hanzi breakdown: 拦 = 扌(hand) + 兰 (orchid, phonetic) — to block/intercept

Meaning

To block; to stop; to intercept. Physically preventing movement or passage.

Can refer to physical blocking (like stopping a car), intercepting (like in sports), or figuratively preventing something from happening. Often implies standing in the way.

Examples

1. 保安拦住了没有通行证的人。 The security guard stopped people without passes.
2. 她拦了一辆出租车去机场。 She hailed a taxi to go to the airport.
3. 任何困难都拦不住他追求梦想。 No difficulty can stop him from pursuing his dreams.

Usage Guide

Context: traffic, security, sports

Tone: active

Do Say

• 别拦着我！(Don't block me!)
• 守门员成功拦截了这个球。(The goalkeeper successfully blocked the ball.)

Don't Say

• 用拦描述心理上的阻止。(拦 implies physical blocking — use 阻止 for abstract prevention)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character. 扌(hand) indicates action; 兰 (orchid) provides the sound.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal