懂中文 Dong Chinese

弹

dàn, tán

bullet, pellet

Phonosemantic compound. 弓 represents the meaning and 单 represents the sound. Simplified form of 彈.

Components
弓 meaning component

弓  Meaning component

gōng

  

bow

单 sound component

单  Sound component

dān, shàn

  

single

Evolution

弹 Oracle script (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)
弹 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
弹 Clerical script Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical script

Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
弹 Traditional script Modern

Traditional script

Modern
弹 Simplified script Modern

Simplified script

Modern
Definitions

弹 (彈) 

dàn

pellet, bullet, shot, shell; crossball; bullet; shot; shell; ball

弹 (彈) 

tán

to pluck (a string); to play (a string instrument); to spring or leap; to shoot (e.g. with a catapult); (of cotton) to fluff or tease; to flick; to flip; to accuse; to impeach; elastic (of materials)

Most common words with 弹
Freq.
Word
Meaning

弹

to flick

炸弹

bomb

子弹

bullet

反弹

to bounce

导弹

guided missile