HanziGuru.揽 · lǎn
揽
lǎn[lan3]Tone 3

to monopolize, to embrace, to take on responsibility

HSK 7
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攬
Guru Deep Dive

English · to monopolize, to embrace, to take on responsibility

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Topology:Left-right
Strokes:20
Writing Balance Rule: The left radical (扌) takes up about one-third of the width, while the complex right side (览) takes up the remaining two-thirds. Keep horizontal strokes compact vertically to fit everything into a square grid.
Simplification Logic: The traditional character 攬 simplifies the phonetic component on the right from 覽 to 览, reducing strokes while maintaining the upper witness/net structure and lower visionary element.
1. Meaning

to take into one's arms, embrace, or monopolize

to take on responsibility or tasksto canvass or solicit business
VerbNeutral#actions#emotions#social interaction
Sample Usage
  • 他把所有的责任都揽在自己身上。
    tā bǎ suǒyǒu de zérèn dōu lǎn zài zìjǐ shēnshang.
    He took all the responsibility upon himself.
  • 揽 揽生意
    lǎn shēngyi
    to solicit business / canvas for clients
2. Sound
/[län²¹⁴]/Tone: 214
揽
lǎnlan3
++
ˇ(214)
=lǎn
Build the syllable
Step-by-step blending
lan
Tone mark placement: Tone mark sits on "a" per main-vowel priority (a > e > o; in -iu/-ui the mark takes the second vowel).
Initial Consonant
l
Type: Alveolar Lateral
Sounds like: l sound as in 'lamp'
Unaspirated
Airflow Tactile Test: Air flows freely around both sides of tongue.
Tongue & Mouth Position: Tongue tip touches the alveolar ridge, vocal cords vibrate.
Final Rhyme
an
Vowel Group: -a vowel group
Sounds like: -an rhymes with 'on' or 'bun' with a broader 'a'
Mouth Shape Guide: Pronounce as standalone vowel 'ahn'.
Common Learner Trap: Keep vowel quality steady across all 4 tone contours.
Tone
T3 (214)
3rd Tone (Low-Dipping)
Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 3 starts mid, dips low to the bottom of your vocal range, and sweeps up, matching English incredulous questioning intonation ('Really?').
Sandhi: When followed by another 3rd tone, lǎn changes to a 2nd tone (rising 35).
👂
Listening trap: Do not confuse with the first tone lān or fourth tone làn; ensure you dip the pitch fully in the middle.
👋
Physical Tone Gesture: Trace a checkmark in the air: dip down from chest level to your stomach and sweep up to shoulder height.
3. Writing

Topology: Left-right · Strokes: 20 strokes

Writing Balance Rule: The left radical (扌) takes up about one-third of the width, while the complex right side (览) takes up the remaining two-thirds. Keep horizontal strokes compact vertically to fit everything into a square grid.

Simplification Logic: The traditional character 攬 simplifies the phonetic component on the right from 覽 to 览, reducing strokes while maintaining the upper witness/net structure and lower visionary element.

4. Components

Radical 扌 · Hand radical (Actions performed with the hand)

Semantic Clue (形旁): 扌 (Indicates physical action, grasping, or embracing with hands)

Phonetic Clue (声旁): 览 (original sound: lǎn)

The hand radical (扌) reaches out to grasp or embrace whatever is surveyed or viewed in the phonetic component (览).

  • 扌 Hand action
  • 览 Phonetic clue and sense of viewing/surveying
5. History
Liushu category: Phono-semantic (形声)

Origin: Combined from the hand radical (扌) indicating physical capture or reaching out, and 览 (to see, survey), representing gathering everything into one's field of view or arms.

Semantic Evolution: Originally meant to gather into one's arms or embrace; later extended to monopolizing resources, taking on responsibilities, and soliciting business.

  • Often used in classical and modern idiom phrases regarding monopolizing power or tasks.
6. Sinosphere
7. Memory
Vivid Mnemonic Story

With your HAND (扌) you reach out and VIEW (览) everything on the horizon, embracing it all and MONOPOLIZING the entire landscape.

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)
览
lǎnto look at, view, or readPhonetic Core (声旁)
缆
lǎncable+ 纟 (silk)
榄
lǎn(bound form) olive+ 木 (tree)
Explore this family →
Lookalikes & Traps (形近字)
览(lǎn)
览 lacks the hand radical (扌) on the left and means to look over rather than to seize or take responsibility.
8. Mastery
Active Recall Challenge
他喜欢把所有的工作都[___]在自己身上。
Clue: lǎn
Common Learner Pitfall

Forgetting the high stroke count on the right component (览) and misplacing the hand radical relative to the right side.

Memory Prompts
Recognition: What does 揽 mean when combined with 责任 (responsibility)?
Production: How do you write the character for 'to monopolize / take into arms' with pinyin lǎn?
Real-World Video Context

Watch authentic native speakers pronounce and explain this word in real-world YouTube videos.

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