拦 lán to block
to block; to hinder; to obstruct; to flag down
How to remember 拦: 扌 hand + 兰 orchid = to block. The guard throws out a hand in front of the rare orchid and does everything to block the eager tourists.
Component breakdown
拦 = 扌 hand + 兰 orchid
- 扌 hand
- 兰 orchid
The guard throws out a hand in front of the rare orchid and does everything to block the eager tourists.
How it is used
- To block/stop/bar the way - 拦住 (lánzhù) stop/hold back, 阻拦 (zǔlán) obstruct, 拦车 (lán chē) flag down/block a car.
- 拦截 (lánjié) = to intercept. 拦 is physically blocking someone/something's path, vs 阻止 (zǔzhǐ) which is preventing an action more abstractly.