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傍 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
傍
bàng
near
t, 12 strokes, radical 亻, rank #17473, Very Hard
傍
bàng
approaching
t, 12 strokes, radical 亻, rank #17473, Very Hard
傍
bàng
to depend on
t, 12 strokes, radical 亻, rank #17473, Very Hard
傍
bàng
(slang) to have an intimate relationship with sb
t, 12 strokes, radical 亻, rank #17473, Very Hard
傍
bàng
Taiwan pr. [páng], [bāng], [bàng]
t, 12 strokes, radical 亻, rank #17473, Very Hard
傍
bàng
beside, close, nearby; to depend on
t, 12 strokes, radical 亻, rank #17473, Very Hard
傍
bàng
Taiwan pr. [pang2], [bang1], [bang4]
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 亻, rank #17473, Very Hard
bàng(bang4)bang T4
1near
2approaching
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March 24, 2026
傍bàng(bang4)
The character 傍 (bàng) generally means 'near' or 'beside'. It can also imply 'to depend on' someone or something, and in slang contexts, it refers to having an intimate relationship with someone. Its usage can vary based on context, with formal and informal connotations.
Strokes12Radical亻Frequency#17473DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Taiwan, the slang usage of 傍 to describe intimate relationships reflects the cultural nuances of dating and social interactions, where being 'close' to someone can have varying implications based on context.
Memory tip
Imagine a person (人) standing beside a tall building (傍), depending on it for support. The character combines 'near' (傍) with the image of reliance, making it easy to remember that 'bàng' relates to nearness and dependence.
Meanings of 傍
bàng(bang4)
1near
2approaching
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 傍 means.
About 傍
傍Simplified
12Strokes
亻Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#17473Frequency Rank
Podcast: 傍
Podcast: 傍
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AI study notes for 傍
Quick Contrast
旁 (páng) - use 旁 when emphasizing 'beside' in a spatial sense rather than the more nuanced 'near' or 'depend on' implied by 傍.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 傍 with similar-sounding characters like 帮 (bāng, to help), leading to misunderstandings. In informal contexts, it might be used among friends to discuss relationships, but in formal writing, it’s best to stick to its primary meanings.
HSK Study Tips
Although not officially on HSK lists, 傍 can be related to HSK vocabulary concerning relationships and location. Focus on its different meanings, especially in colloquial contexts, to understand how it might appear in conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 傍 with 旁 (páng), which means 'side' or 'next to', leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying 傍边 instead of 旁边 (pángbiān) for 'beside' is a common error.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 傍
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Learning Lab
Knowing 傍 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 傍 (bàng) generally means 'near' or 'beside'. It can also imply 'to depend on' someone or something, and in slang contexts, it refers to having an intimate relationship with someone. Its usage can vary based on context, with formal and informal connotations.
When to use 傍
Common mistakes include confusing 傍 with similar-sounding characters like 帮 (bāng, to help), leading to misunderstandings. In informal contexts, it might be used among friends to discuss relationships, but in formal writing, it’s best to stick to its primary meanings.
傍 or something close to it
旁 (páng) - use 旁 when emphasizing 'beside' in a spatial sense rather than the more nuanced 'near' or 'depend on' implied by 傍.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 傍 with 旁 (páng), which means 'side' or 'next to', leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying 傍边 instead of 旁边 (pángbiān) for 'beside' is a common error.
Write 傍
傍
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Grammar patterns of 傍
傍 carries 7 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
战斗在____晚时分打响，持续了一夜。
The fighting began in the late afternoon and continued all night.
Example sentences for 傍 (10)
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1
战斗在傍晚时分打响，持续了一夜。
zhàndòu zài bàngwǎn shí fēn dǎ xiǎng， chíxù le yī yè。
The fighting began in the late afternoon and continued all night.
2
除了偶尔一两个傍晚出来散步的人，雾蒙蒙的街上空荡荡的。
chúle ǒu’ěr yī liǎng gè bàngwǎn chūlái sànbù de rén， wù mēng mēng de jiē shàngkōng dàng dàng de。
The foggy streets were virtually empty, except for the occasional evening stroller.
The road hugs the coast for hundreds of miles, the South China Sea on one side, jungle on the other.
9
夏日的傍晚,鲜花散发出醉人的芳香.
xià rì de bàngwǎn, xiānhuā sànfā chū zuì rén de fāng xiāng.
On summer evenings the flowers gave forth an almost intoxicating scent.
10
傍晚时,敌人的抵抗越来越弱了.
bàngwǎn shí, dírén de dǐkàng yuèláiyuè ruò le.
The enemy resistance thinned out as night approached.
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Cultural Notes for 傍
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the idea of 'being dependent on someone' often has a more negative connotation than in Chinese, where it can imply support and closeness.
Word Family of 傍
Words containing this character8
傍晚bàngwǎnin the evening
傍bàngnear
依山傍水yīshānbàngshuǐmountains on one side and water on the other
依傍yībàngto rely on
傍午bàngwǔtowards noon
傍近bàngjìnto be close to
偎傍wēibàngto snuggle up to
傍人门户bàngrénménhùto be dependent upon sb傍人門戶
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 傍
What does 傍晚 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 傍
You can say, '他总是傍着我', which means 'He always relies on me'.
Yes, while it can be used informally in slang, its primary meanings are suitable for both casual and formal contexts.
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