盏

zhǎn

a small cup

HSK 7 — —

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The character 盏 (zhǎn) primarily refers to a small cup, often used for tea or wine. It is commonly used as a measure word for small cups or lamps.

Common Collocations

  • 一盏茶 (yī zhǎn chá): a cup of tea
  • 一盏酒 (yī zhǎn jiǔ): a small cup of wine
  • 一盏灯 (yī zhǎn dēng): a lamp or light

Usage Notes

盏 is mostly used in literary or formal contexts when referring to small cups or lamps. It is less common in everyday speech compared to other measure words like 杯 (bēi) for cups. When used for lamps, it emphasizes the object as a single unit of light or a traditional lamp.

Common Confusions

盏 should not be confused with 杯, which is a more general measure word for cups and glasses. 盏 often implies a smaller, more delicate vessel or a traditional style, especially in classical or poetic contexts.

Example Sentences

请给我来一盏茶。

Qǐng gěi wǒ lái yī zhǎn chá.

Please bring me a cup of tea.

他端起一盏酒,慢慢地喝了下去。

Tā duān qǐ yī zhǎn jiǔ, màn man de hē le xià qù.

He lifted a small cup of wine and drank it slowly.

这盏灯很古老,是祖传的。

Zhè zhǎn dēng hěn gǔ lǎo, shì zǔ chuán de.

This lamp is very old; it is an heirloom.