Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
潘pān(Pan1)
The character 潘 (pān) primarily represents a surname in Chinese. It is also associated with a river that flows into the Han River and can refer to Pan, a figure from Greek mythology. In everyday use, it is most commonly encountered as a family name.
Strokes15Radical氵Frequency#9466DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The surname 潘 is historically significant in China and may be associated with various notable figures in literature and history. Surnames hold deep cultural value, often reflecting a family's heritage and ancestral lineage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'pan' floating on a river (the river represented by the water radical 氵), where the surname 潘 is like a boat gliding smoothly along. This imagery ties the character’s meaning to its pronunciation, as the sound 'pān' is reminiscent of the word 'pan' in English.
Meanings of 潘
pān(Pan1)
1a river that flows into the Han; surname
2Pan, faun in Greek mythology, son of Hermes
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 潘
潘Simplified
15Strokes
氵Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 潘
Podcast: 潘
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 潘
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'pan' floating on a river (the river represented by the water radical 氵), where the surname 潘 is like a boat gliding smoothly along. This imagery ties the character’s meaning to its pronunciation, as the sound 'pān' is reminiscent of the word 'pan' in English.
Usage Notes
When using 潘 as a surname, it is typically polite to use it with the honorific title Mr. or Ms. (先生/女士) as a sign of respect. A common mistake is to confuse the pronunciation with other similar-sounding surnames; ensure you emphasize the 'pān' sound clearly.
HSK Study Tips
Although 潘 is not included in the HSK levels, understanding this surname can help students recognize the cultural significance of surnames in Chinese society. Students at this level should focus on relating surnames to family and identity.
Cultural Note
The surname 潘 is historically significant in China and may be associated with various notable figures in literature and history. Surnames hold deep cultural value, often reflecting a family's heritage and ancestral lineage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 潘 by confusing it with similar surnames like 潘 (pān) and 蕭 (xiāo). Always ensure you pronounce the 'pān' with the correct tone to avoid confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 潘
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 潘 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 潘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 潘
潘 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
斯____塞艰难地迈过一堆破椅子和碎啤酒瓶。
Spencer waded through the debris of broken chairs and beer bottles.
Example Sentences for 潘 (7)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
斯潘塞艰难地迈过一堆破椅子和碎啤酒瓶。
sī pān sāi jiān nán dì mài guò yī duī pò yǐ zǐ hé suì pí jiǔ píng。
Spencer waded through the debris of broken chairs and beer bottles.
In the 1790s Tom Paine taught plebeian radicals that mankind would live in harmony were it not for the vested interest which princes, diplomats and soldiers had in promoting wars to enrich themselves.
4
潘朵拉迅速地把盖子盖回去, 但太迟了.
pān duǒ lā xùn sù dì bǎ gài zǐ gài huí qù, , dàn tài chí.
Pandora quickly put the lid back on, but too late.
Pen was bewildered with wonder, perplexity, fury, at this monstrous and unreasonable persecution.
7
潘先生心头突地跳起来,周身有一种拘牵不自由的感觉.
pān xiān shēng xīn tóu tū dì tiào qǐ lái, , zhōu shēn yǒu yī zhǒng jū qiān bù zì yóu de gǎn.
Mr. Pan's heart skipped a beat and he felt trapped.
Cultural Notes for 潘
🏮Cultural insight
The surname 潘 is historically significant in China and may be associated with various notable figures in literature and history. Surnames hold deep cultural value, often reflecting a family's heritage and ancestral lineage.
Word Family of 潘
Words Containing This Character9
潘pānsurname Pan
潘基文Ban Ki Moon (1944-), Korean diplomat, UN secretary-general from 2006
潘多拉Pandora
潘金莲Pan Jinlian (name lit. Golden Lotus), heroine of Ming dynasty vernacular novel Jinpingmei or the Golden Lotus 金瓶梅潘金蓮
潘岳Pan Yue (247-300), later known as 潘安[PānAn], famous handsome and elegant writer from the Western Jin dynasty
德维尔潘(Dominique) de Villepin (French name)德維爾潘
彼得潘Peter Pan, the novel character
潘安Pan Yue (247-300), later known as 潘安[PānAn], famous handsome and elegant writer from the Western Jin dynasty
潘婷Pantene (hair products brand)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 潘 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 潘
Besides being a surname, 潘 can refer to a river, specifically one that flows into the Han River.
Yes, 潘 is a relatively common surname in China, with a notable presence in various regions.
It is pronounced as 'pān', where the 'p' is similar to the English 'p' and the 'ān' has a flat tone.
