弹
tán
To bounce in Chinese is 弹 (tán).
The verb 弹 is used to describe the action of an object bouncing or rebounding after hitting a surface.
Meaning: to change direction of motion after hitting an obstacle (verb)
Which one should you use?
The form 弹 is the general verb. If you want to describe the action of bouncing up, use 弹起. To emphasize that something is bouncing back, use the informal phrase 弹回来. For a more formal or scientific way to say bounce, use 反弹. Finally, if you are referring to the noun 'the action of bouncing', use 弹跳.
How do you pronounce it?
tán
Did you know?
- In a musical context, the character 弹 is used for the verb 'to play' an instrument, such as a piano or a guitar. This reflects the physical action of the finger 'bouncing' or plucking a string.
- In the world of digital media, the term 弹幕 (dànmù), or 'bullet curtain', describes the way scrolling user comments appear over a video. It suggests that these comments are flying across the screen like a barrage of projectiles.
- Changing the tone of 弹 from 'tán' to 'dàn' completely transforms the meaning from 'to bounce' to 'bullet' or 'ammunition'. This demonstrates how a single character can shift from describing a soft spring to a piece of weaponry.
Examples in context
- 橡皮球可以弹跳The rubber ball can bounce
- 球跳起来了The ball bounced
- 弹回来的板球The bounced-back cricket ball
- 她扔了球，它反弹得很高。She threw the ball, and it bounced very high.
- 这个橡皮球可以在地面上弹跳很长时间。This rubber ball can bounce on the ground for a long time.
- 这个东西会弹跳。Zhège dōngxi huì tántiào.This thing bounces.
Example conversation
A boy and a girl are playing with a ball in a living room.
- 俊杰 Junjie看，球弹得很高！Kàn, qiú tán de hěn gāo!Look, the ball is bouncing really high!
- 佳怡 Jiayi小心，别让球弹到电视上。Xiǎoxīn, bié ràng qiú tán dào diànshì shàng.Be careful, don't let the ball bounce onto the TV.
- 俊杰 Junjie我知道了，我会注意的。Wǒ zhīdào le, wǒ huì zhùyì de.I know, I'll be careful.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我们就去外面玩吧。Nà wǒmen jiù qù wàimiàn wán ba.Then let's go play outside.
