簞 (dān) - A small bamboo basket used for holding cooked & a humble food container in ancient China.

簞Tone 1

dān ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

簞 · dān

A small bamboo basket used for holding cooked rice;

a humble food container in ancient China.

A small bamboo basket used for holding cookeda humble food container in ancient China.

Usage highlights

Basket of foodBasket and gourd drinkBasket food and pot soupSingle basket mealBasket and ladleBasket container

Synonyms

  • 籃— basket (general term)
  • 筐— basket (larger)
  • 笥— bamboo food container

Antonyms

  • 鼎— bronze tripod (luxury food vessel)
  • 爵— wine cup (ceremonial vessel)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The scholar carried his simple meal in a bamboo basket (一簞食).
  • He lived contentedly with just a basket of rice and a gourd of drink (簞食瓢飲).
  • The offering was presented in humble bamboo containers (簞食壺漿).

Collocations

  • Basket of food(簞食)
  • Basket and gourd drink(簞瓢)
  • Basket food and pot soup(簞食壺漿)
  • Single basket meal(一簞食)
  • Basket and ladle(簞勺)
  • Basket container(簞笥)

Idioms

  • Content with a basket of rice and gourd of drink(簞食瓢飲)
  • Welcoming with baskets of food and pots of soup(簞食壺漿)
  • Basket food and bean drink(簞食豆羹)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Represents extreme simplicity and contentment in Confucian tradition, associated with the virtuous poverty of Confucius' disciple Yan Hui.
  • Used in classical texts to describe humble living conditions of virtuous scholars.
  • Symbolizes modest means and spiritual richness in contrast to material wealth.

FAQ