亶

dǎn = d + an3

surname Dan

dǎn = d + an3

sincere

亶 = 亠 + 回 + 旦 : Mnemonic symbol: to bow and show how earnest you mean it.

Don Quixote (d) ordered a beer at the bar in the anthill (an3). The barkeeper questions whether or not Don Quixote will return (回) the mug (旦) after he finishes his beer, so Don Quixote bows and shows how sincere (亶) he is by handing over his beret (亠) as security deposit.

亶 character breakdown

亶
- 亠
  - 一
  - 丶
- 回
  - 口
  - 囗
- 旦
  - 一
  - 日
    - 一
    - 囗

亠

tóu = t + ou2

"lid" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 8)

亠 = 丶 + 一 : Mnemonic symbol: 亠 looks like a beret. Tecumseh (t) is killing time in the Outhouse's kitchen (ou2) by playing a game. His goal is to blow a petal leaf (丶) into a beret (亠) by blowing air through a flute (一).

回

huí = hu + ei2

to circle / to go back / to turn around / to answer / to return / to revolve / Hui ethnic group (Chinese Muslims) / time / classifier for acts of a play / section or chapter (of a classic book)

回 = 口 + 囗 : Helga Horse (hu-) smuggled herself into the Eiffel Tower's kitchen (-ei2). She covered herself in an enclosure (囗) full of mandarins (口). Unfortunately, she missed one little detail: The box full of mandarins is to be shipped back (回) to China soon.

旦

dàn = d + an4

dawn / morning / daybreak / day / dan, female roles in Chinese opera (traditionally played by specialized male actors)

旦 = 一 + 日 : Mnemonic symbol: A big mug, since many people start the day with a mug of coffee.

Don Quixote (d) meets the sun (日) early in the morning (旦) in the anthill's bathroom (an4). Don Quixote is full of energy and can't wait to start into a new adventure, but since the sun is a morning grouch who only just started drinking her mug of coffee (mnemonic symbol for 旦) she cannot stand it and beats him over the head with a flute (一) to calm him a bit down.

回

迴

huí = hu + ei2

to curve / to return / to revolve

回

逥

huí = hu + ei2

variant of 迴|回[hui2]

Characters with 亶 as component

坛

壇

tán = t + an2

platform / rostrum / altar

坛 = 云 + 土 : Tecumseh (t) set up an altar (坛) made of clay (土) in the anthill's kitchen (an2) to be used as a forum (坛). He prepared his entrance very well: before stepping out to the crowd he dispenses clouds (云) from an earthen jar (坛) so that it appears that he is stepping out of nowhere.

擅

shàn = sh + an4

without authority / to usurp / to arrogate to oneself / to monopolize / expert in / to be good at

擅 = 亶 + 扌 : Sherlock Holmes (sh) finds a beautiful toy claw (扌) in the anthill's bathroom (an4), but he knows that he is not supposed to take it. Nevertheless, he bows very deeply (亶) and then usurps (擅) the toy claw anyway.

颤

顫

chàn = ch + an4

to tremble / to shiver / to shake / to vibrate / Taiwan pr. [zhan4]

颤 = 亶 + 页 : Charlie Chaplin (ch) received a very sincere (亶) paper in the anthill's bathroom (an4). Trembling (颤) he receives a very high bill, but he vows to pay the bill because he is so sincere (亶).

檀

tán = t + an2

surname Tan

檀

tán = t + an2

sandalwood / hardwood / purple-red

毡

氈

zha̅n = zh + an1

felt (fabric)

澶

chán = ch + an2