痰
sputum, phlegm
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- タン
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
痰 centers on thick respiratory mucus: sputum or phlegm coughed up from the lungs or throat.
Most common words using 痰
- 痰たん
phlegm; sputum
- 去痰きょたん
expectoration
- 去痰薬きょたんやく
expectorant
- 喀痰かくたん
expectoration; sputum
- 喀痰検査かくたんけんさ
examination of someone's sputum
- 検痰けんたん
sputum test
- 痰を切るたんをきる
to break mucus (from one's throat); to clear one's throat
- 痰切豆たんきりまめ
Rhynchosia volubilis (species of snoutbean)
- 痰唾たんつば
sputum; phlegm
- 痰壺たんつぼ
spittoon; cuspidor
- 血痰けったん
bloody phlegm
Study
Etymology
痰 combines 疒 (sickness) with 炎, which likely contributes the sound タン. The character expresses a sickness involving phlegm or mucus.
Meaning mnemonic
The sickness enclosure 疒 wraps around 炎 (flame/inflammation). Picture a chest inflamed with sickness, producing thick phlegm that needs to be coughed out.
Reading mnemonic
For タン, imagine a tan-colored blob of phlegm being coughed up: tan -> タン, matching the color of the sputum.