(tàn) - to sigh & to exclaim

Tone 4

tàn | 5 strokes | radical: 口

· tàn

to sigh;

to exclaim;

to admire;

to praise

to sighto exclaimto admire

Usage highlights

to sighto exclaim in admirationto sigh with regretto admire and praiseto lamentto sigh in wonder

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • to laugh (opposite of sighing)
  • to scold (opposite of praising)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He sighed deeply (深深地叹气).
  • Everyone exclaimed in admiration (赞叹不已).
  • She sighed with regret (叹息).
  • The audience applauded and cheered (叹赏).

Collocations

  • to sigh(叹气)
  • to exclaim in admiration(赞叹)
  • to sigh with regret(叹息)
  • to admire and praise(叹赏)
  • to lament(悲叹)
  • to sigh in wonder(惊叹)

Idioms

  • To sigh with admiration(叹为观止)
  • To sigh with deep feeling(长吁短叹)
  • To sigh over the state of affairs(望洋兴叹)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant 'to sigh' but extended to include positive meanings like 'to admire' and 'to praise'.
  • Used in classical Chinese poetry to express deep emotion and reflection.
  • The character combines the mouth radical (口) with 又 (hand), suggesting vocal expression.

FAQ