dān

甔

Character · Noun · AdjectiveTraditional丹

red; pill; sincere

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 8 examples
1.

noun

red; vermilion; cinnabar

literary

This is the original meaning, referring to the mineral cinnabar (a source of red pigment), and by extension the color red.

Dān丹
shā砂
shì是
gǔ古
dài代
zhòng重
yào要
de的
yán颜
liào料
 。

Cinnabar was an important pigment in ancient times.

dān丹
chí墀

vermilion steps (leading to a palace hall)

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dān丹
xīn心
yī一
piàn片

a heart of absolute loyalty (a 'red heart', metaphor for sincerity)

2.

noun

pill; pellet; specially prepared medicine

formal

Refers to medicine processed into a small, round, often red pill. This meaning is directly related to the original mineral cinnabar, which was used in alchemy and medicine.

Tā他
fú服
xià下
yī一
kē颗
dān丹
yào药
 。

He swallowed a medicinal pellet.

líng灵
dān丹
miào妙
yào药

miraculous cure; panacea

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xiān仙
dān丹

elixir of life (mythological pill for immortality)

3.

adjective

sincere; loyal; devoted

literary

A metaphorical extension from the color red ('丹心' meaning a loyal heart).

Yī一
piàn片
dān丹
xīn心
zhào照
hàn汗
qīng青
 。

A loyal heart shines through the annals of history.

dān丹
chéng诚

absolute sincerity