兰 Stroke Order — How to Write 兰
兰 is written in 5 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 丷, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
兰 Radical and Character Components
兰 is a pictograph. An orchid in bloom.
Radical: 丷 + 3 more strokes
兰 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- lán
Meanings of 兰 in Chinese
1
lán兰
Lán (兰) primarily refers to orchids, symbolizing a gentleman, purity, or deep friendship. It is also used in the idiom '兰摧玉折' (lán cuī yù zhé), which laments the untimely death of a virtuous or talented person.
他年纪轻轻却英年早逝，令人倍感兰摧玉折之痛。
He died young, making people deeply feel the pain of an untimely loss of a virtuous person.
In ancient texts, 'lán' refers to magnolia.
古籍中提到‘兰’，常指木兰花。
In classical records, 'lán' frequently denotes the magnolia flower.
Used as an archaic term for an animal pen or enclosure for livestock, similar to '栏' (lán).
农夫将牛羊赶入兰中过夜。
The farmer drove the cattle and sheep into the pen for the night.
Same as '斓' (lán), meaning variegated, splendid, or colorful.
五彩斑兰的蝴蝶在花丛中翩翩起舞
Colorful butterflies fluttered among the flowers.
Common Words and Phrases with 兰
1
To destroy both the noble and the ignoble without distinction; good and bad suffer the same fate.
由于管理不善，整个项目最终失败，即便是那些用心工作的员工也难逃兰艾同焚的命运
Due to poor management, the entire project ultimately failed, and even the diligently working employees could not escape being swept away in the general ruin.
2
A metaphor for the premature death of a virtuous or gifted individual, often used to mourn someone's unfortunate early demise.
她本是家族的骄傲，琴棋书画样样精通，谁料天妒红颜，年纪轻轻便兰摧玉折，令人扼腕叹息。
She was the family's pride, excelling in all the arts. Alas, fate was cruel, and she suffered an untimely demise, a true 'orchid withering, jade breaking,' at such a tender age, leaving everyone heartbroken and filled with regret.
3
A woman's private chamber or boudoir, often used in a complimentary way.
她独自在兰闺中，静静地阅读诗集。
She was alone in her elegant boudoir, quietly reading a collection of poems.
4
An ornamental plant belonging to the orchid family, often characterized by beautiful and fragrant flowers.
兰花是一种美丽的花朵，受到许多人的喜爱。
Orchids are beautiful flowers, loved by many people.
5
intimate friendship between like-minded individuals
在困难面前，他总能得到几位兰交的鼎力相助
In the face of difficulties, he can always count on the strong support of a few kindred spirits.
6
Books on orchidology, or genealogical records exchanged between sworn brothers.
两位江湖义士相见恨晚，结为金兰之交，并交换了兰谱，以示情谊长存。
The two chivalrous figures, regretting not having met sooner, became sworn siblings and exchanged 'Lanpu' scrolls to signify their everlasting friendship.
7
A temple or monastery; a short form of the Sanskrit word 'Aranya'.
僧侣们在远离尘嚣的兰若中过着简朴的修行生活。
The monks lived a simple life of practice in the aranya, far from the madding crowd.
8
A lady's boudoir; a fragrant and elegant room.
她将兰室打理得井井有条，每一件摆设都透着她的独特品味。
She keeps her elegant chamber meticulously tidy, with every furnishing reflecting her unique taste.
9
A heart-to-heart talk or an intimate conversation between like-minded people.
与知己的兰言，总是能让人感到心灵的慰藉，烦恼也随之消散。
The congenial conversation with a close friend always brings comfort to the soul, and troubles dissipate with it.
10
A beautiful beginning that leads to an unfortunate or broken outcome, often referring to relationships that start well but ultimately fail.
他们曾是一对金童玉女，人人称羡，却没想到最终兰因絮果，令人唏嘘
They were once a golden couple, envied by all, but unexpectedly, their beautiful beginning led to a sorrowful, fragmented end, which was truly regrettable.
11
An old complimentary term for someone else's son, meaning 'your fine son'.
王老伯常夸张教授的子女是兰玉，学业有成又孝顺。
Old Mr. Wang often praised Professor Zhang's children as 'Lan Yu,' remarking on their academic success and filial piety.
12
Beautiful diction or elegant language, often used as a complimentary term for someone's letter.
友人寄来的信函，字字珠玑，句句兰章，令人读后回味无穷。
The letter sent by my friend contained words like pearls, and every sentence was a beautiful composition, leaving me with an endless aftertaste after reading it.
13
Lanzhou is the capital of Gansu Province in Northwest China. It is a major industrial hub and the political, economic, and cultural center of the province, known for its petrochemical and non-ferrous metal industries.
兰州牛肉面是当地的特色美食，深受游客喜爱。
Lanzhou beef noodles are a local specialty and are deeply loved by tourists.
14
An elegant term for a boat, often referring to one made of magnolia wood.
夕阳下，一叶兰舟悠悠地划过湖面，波光粼粼
Under the setting sun, a magnolia boat glided leisurely across the lake, its surface shimmering.
More words with 兰
- hé荷lán兰the Netherlands
- zhī芝lán兰Orchid and Ganoderma, Noble plants
- zé泽lán兰Bugleweed, Water Horehound
- hè贺lán兰shān山Helan Mountains
- jūn君zǐ子lán兰Clivia, Kaffir Lily
- méi梅lán兰fāng芳Mei Lanfang
- gé格líng陵lán兰Greenland
- wán芄lán兰Metaplexis
- yù玉lán兰Magnolia
- lèi类lán兰rě若like a monastery
- yù玉lán兰piàn片dried bamboo shoots
- yī伊sī斯lán兰jiào教Islam
- huì蕙lán兰Cymbidium, Chinese orchid
- jiàn建lán兰Ensiform Cymbidium, Sword-leaf Cymbidium
- lán兰tíng亭Orchid Pavilion, Lanting Pavilion
- mù木lán兰huā花magnolia, magnolia flower
- mù木lán兰shī诗Ballad of Mulan, The Poem of Mulan
- bái白yù玉lán兰Yulan magnolia, white magnolia
- diào吊lán兰spider plant, airplane plant
- gé格líng陵lán兰dǎo岛Greenland
Idioms with 兰
- lán兰ài艾nán难fēn分hard to tell good from bad
- chūn春lán兰qiū秋jú菊Each has its own unique charm
- huì蕙xīn心lán兰zhì质pure heart, noble character
- jīn金lán兰qì契yǒu友sworn friend
- yì义jié结jīn金lán兰become sworn brothers or sisters
- zhī芝lán兰yù玉shù树outstanding and promising offspring
- zhī芝lán兰zhī之shì室a good environment fostering positive character
- lán兰guì桂qí齐fāng芳many accomplished offspring bringing family honor
- lán兰guì桂téng腾fāng芳Children and grandchildren achieve great success
- lán兰qíng情huì蕙xìng性virtuous and graceful woman
- lán兰xūn熏guì桂fù馥lasting grace and influence
- lán兰zhǐ芷zhī之shì室a pleasant and refined environment
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Open the tool →Questions about 兰
What does 兰 mean in Chinese?
兰 (lán) means “In ancient texts” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 兰?
兰 is pronounced lán in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 兰 have?
兰 has 5 strokes.
How do you write 兰?
兰 is written in 5 strokes, starting from the radical 丷. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 兰?
The radical of 兰 is 丷, and 兰 is a pictograph.