'太阳伞' (tài yáng sǎn) literally means 'sun umbrella' — a portable, freestanding or table-mounted umbrella designed specifically to provide shade from sunlight outdoors. It combines three characters: 太 (tài, 'great' or 'supreme'), 阳 (yáng, 'sun' or 'solar'), and 伞 (sǎn, 'umbrella'). While 太 and 阳 together form the word for 'sun' (太阳), adding 伞 makes it a functional object — not for rain, but for sun protection. These umbrellas are commonly seen at beaches, outdoor cafés, patios, and gardens.

Unlike regular rain umbrellas, 太阳伞 is usually larger, sturdier, and often made with UV-resistant fabric. It may be mounted on a weighted base or fixed into sand or soil. In everyday Chinese, it’s used neutrally and colloquially — you might ask a vendor '这把太阳伞多少钱？' or see it listed on a café menu under '户外设施' (outdoor facilities). It's not used metaphorically and carries no strong cultural connotations beyond practical sun shelter.