tǎn

菼

Character · Noun

young reed; new-grown Miscanthus

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

1 sense · 3 examples

noun

newly grown reed; young shoots of Miscanthus sacchariflorus

literary

A classical botanical term found in ancient texts such as the Book of Songs (《诗经》), referring specifically to the young, tender growth of the reed-like plant Miscanthus sacchariflorus.

Jiā葭

tǎn菼

jiē揭

，

shù庶

jiāng姜

niè孽

。

The young reeds grow tall and lush; the ladies-in-waiting are numerous and beautiful.

Hú湖

biān边

de的

tǎn菼

cǎo草

zài在

chūn春

fēng风

zhōng中

qīng轻

yáo摇

yè曳

。

The young Miscanthus reeds by the lake swayed gently in the spring breeze.

Show 1 more example

Gǔ古

rén人

yǐ以

tǎn菼

bǐ比

yù喻

chū初

shēng生

ér而

róu柔

ruò弱

zhī之

wù物

。

Ancient people used 'tan' as a metaphor for things that are newborn and tender.