弹 (dàn) - To shoot & to spring

弹Tone 4

dàn ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

弹 · dàn

To shoot;

to spring;

to bounce;

to play (a stringed instrument);

to fluff (cotton);

to flick;

to catapult;

also refers to a bullet, pellet, or projectile.

To shootto springto bounce

Usage highlights

Play pianoBulletBounce backSpringCatapultFluff cotton

Synonyms

  • 射— to shoot
  • 奏— to play (an instrument)
  • 跳— to jump (similar to bounce)

Antonyms

  • 接— to catch (antonym to shoot/bounce away)
  • 停— to stop (antonym to play/move)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He can play the guitar (弹吉他).
  • The ball bounced off the wall (球从墙上弹开).
  • They used a slingshot to shoot stones (用弹弓射石子).
  • She flicked the dust off her coat (弹掉外套上的灰尘).

Collocations

  • Play piano(弹钢琴)
  • Bullet(子弹)
  • Bounce back(反弹)
  • Spring(弹簧)
  • Catapult(弹射)
  • Fluff cotton(弹棉花)

Idioms

  • Old tune rehashed(老调重弹)
  • To criticize severely(弹劾)
  • A single flick of the finger(弹指一挥间)
  • To play the lute to a cow(对牛弹琴)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character embodies both the action (to shoot/play) and the object (bullet), reflecting its dual nature in Chinese.
  • In music, 弹 is specifically used for playing stringed instruments, distinguishing it from 吹 (wind) and 拉 (bowed).
  • The idiom 对牛弹琴 warns against explaining profound concepts to those who cannot understand them.

FAQ