澜 (lán) - Billows, large waves & refers to great waves or turbulent waters

澜Tone 2

lán ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

澜 · lán

Billows, large waves;

refers to great waves or turbulent waters;

metaphorically used for grand, surging momentum or emotions.

Billows, large wavesrefers to great waves or turbulent watersmetaphorically used for grand, surging momentum or emotions.

Usage highlights

Great wavesTurbulent wavesSurging wavesWaves and billowsCalm the wavesRipple

Synonyms

  • 波— wave (generally smaller)
  • 浪— wave, billow
  • 涛— large wave, surge

Antonyms

  • 静— calm, stillness
  • 平— flat, even

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The river surged with great waves (波澜壮阔).
  • Her heart was filled with surging emotions (心潮澎湃).
  • The debate stirred up waves of discussion (掀起波澜).
  • The sea was rough with huge waves (狂澜巨浪).

Collocations

  • Great waves(波澜)
  • Turbulent waves(狂澜)
  • Surging waves(澜涛)
  • Waves and billows(澜漪)
  • Calm the waves(挽澜)
  • Ripple(微澜)

Idioms

  • Grand and sweeping(波澜壮阔)
  • Stir up waves(推波助澜)
  • Calm the raging waves(力挽狂澜)
  • Ripples on the water surface(微澜不起)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, waves often symbolize powerful forces, emotional turbulence, or grand historical movements.
  • The character appears in idioms describing both literal waves and metaphorical situations where momentum builds.
  • Used poetically to describe emotional states, particularly deep or surging feelings.

FAQ