壇 (tán) - Altar & platform

壇Tone 2

tán ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

树檀

壇 · tán

Altar;

platform;

forum;

a raised area or structure used for ceremonial purposes, public speaking, or as a stage.

Altarplatformforum

Usage highlights

AltarForumPlatformFlower bedCeremonial platformLiterary world

Synonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ceremony was held at the altar (祭坛).
  • He spoke from the platform (讲坛).
  • It's a popular online forum (论坛).
  • The flower bed was beautifully arranged (花坛).

Collocations

  • Altar(祭坛)
  • Forum(论坛)
  • Platform(讲坛)
  • Flower bed(花坛)
  • Ceremonial platform(天坛)
  • Literary world(文坛)

Idioms

  • Step onto the altar and become a general(登坛拜将)
  • A master of the literary world(文坛泰斗)
  • The summit of the literary world(文坛祭酒)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used for important state ceremonies and religious rituals, such as the Temple of Heaven (天坛) in Beijing.
  • In modern usage, it often refers to a public platform for discussion, like an internet forum.
  • Also used metaphorically to denote a field or circle of activity, especially in arts and literature (e.g., 文坛).

FAQ