Meaning and Usage
The character 蓝 (lán) primarily means "blue," specifically a deep or navy blue color. It is also used as a Chinese surname. When used as a color, 蓝 often appears in everyday contexts such as describing clothing, nature, or objects.
Common Collocations
- 蓝色 (lán sè): blue color, the most common way to say "blue" in Mandarin.
- 蓝天 (lán tiān): blue sky, a frequent phrase in descriptions of weather or scenery.
- 蓝牙 (lán yá): Bluetooth, a modern compound word.
Usage Notes
蓝 as a surname is less common but appears in formal or personal names. When used as a color, it is often combined with 色 (color) to form 蓝色. Avoid confusing 蓝 with other color words like 青 (qīng), which can mean blue or green depending on context.
Register and Tone
蓝 is neutral in tone and register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is a basic color term taught early in Chinese learning (HSK 3).
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 蓝 (lán) with 兰 (lán), which means orchid and is a different character though pronounced the same.