叹 tàn to sigh
to sigh; to admire
How to remember 叹: 口 mouth + 又 again = to sigh. At the museum Grandpa covers his mouth again before the huge painting and can only stand there to sigh.
Component breakdown
叹 = 口 mouth + 又 again
- 口 mouth
- 又 again
At the museum Grandpa covers his mouth again before the huge painting and can only stand there to sigh.
How it is used
- To sigh - from sorrow or admiration - 叹气 (tànqì) to sigh, 感叹 (gǎntàn) to sigh with emotion, 赞叹 (zàntàn) to marvel admiringly.
- Note the two poles: 叹气 = a sigh of frustration/sadness; 惊叹/赞叹 = gasping in admiration. Context sets the mood.
- 叹为观止 (tànwéi-guānzhǐ) = to be so impressed you can only sigh in wonder.