tán
noun HSK 7 #25,247

Meanings

  1. 1 altar; platform (for ceremonies)
  2. 2 circle; world (of a profession or field)
  3. 3 earthen jar; pot

Examples

Tā zài wéntán shàng hěn yǒu yǐngxiǎnglì.
He is very influential in the literary world.
Tiāntán shì Míng-Qīng liǎng dài huángdì jì tiān de dìfang.
The Temple of Heaven is where Ming and Qing emperors held sacrificial ceremonies.

Tips

usage
is used as a suffix meaning 'circle/world' for professional fields: (literary world), (sports world), (film world), (music world), 论坛 (forum).

In Pop Culture

Tiāntán
Temple of Heaven
UNESCO World Heritage site in Beijing, iconic circular altar

Stroke Order

tán