Xiangtan
/ˌʃjɑːŋˈtɑːn/noun
Xiangtan is a city in Hunan Province, China, located on the Xiang River.
Did you know?The character 潭 means a deep pool or water basin, while 湘 identifies the Xiang River; together, the name preserves a geographic description rather than a personal name or supernatural title.
Etymological Timeline
Old Chinese period
Old Chinese
湘
“The name of the Xiang River; the character’s earliest naming history is uncertain.”
Old Chinese period
Old Chinese
潭
“A deep pool, deep water, or water basin.”
Medieval China
Middle Chinese
湘潭
“A place associated with the Xiang River and a deep pool or basin.”
Modern Mandarin
Mandarin
湘潭 (Xiāngtán)
“The modern Chinese name of the city Xiangtan.”
Modern English
English
Xiangtan
“The standard English romanization and proper name for the city in Hunan.”