案 (àn) - Table, desk & case, file, record

案Tone 4

àn ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

安傲

案 · àn

Table, desk;

case, file, record;

legal case;

proposal, plan;

to investigate.

Table, deskcase, file, recordlegal case

Usage highlights

Case fileProposal/planMurder caseDesk/tableFile/caseCase investigation

Synonyms

  • 桌— Table, desk
  • 几— Small table, stand

Antonyms

  • 椅— Chair (furniture contrast)
  • 凳— Stool (seating contrast)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The book is on the table (书在案上).
  • Please review the case file (请查看案卷).
  • They submitted a proposal (他们提交了方案).
  • The detective investigated the murder case (侦探调查谋杀案).

Collocations

  • Case file(案卷)
  • Proposal/plan(方案)
  • Murder case(命案)
  • Desk/table(案桌)
  • File/case(档案)
  • Case investigation(案件调查)

Idioms

  • To pile up cases on the desk(案牍劳形)
  • To solve a case and bring it to conclusion(结案陈词)
  • To have a preconceived solution before investigating(先入为主)
  • A case that has been settled(铁案如山)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, officials used wooden tables (案) for writing official documents and legal cases.
  • The character appears in many legal and administrative contexts, reflecting China's long bureaucratic tradition.
  • In traditional scholar's study, the writing desk (案) was a central piece of furniture for calligraphy and painting.

FAQ