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March 24, 2026
叛pàn(pan4)
The character 叛 (pàn) means to betray or to rebel against authority or established norms. It is commonly used in contexts involving treachery, such as betrayal in personal relationships or revolt against a government. The nuance of this term often carries a moral weight, suggesting a breach of loyalty or allegiance.
Strokes9Radical又Frequency#17648DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the concept of 叛 is significant, especially in discussions of historical rebellions such as the Taiping Rebellion, where betrayal against the ruling authority led to massive social upheaval.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'pan' (pàn) that has flipped over, spilling everything out. This represents betrayal as you 'turn' on someone, just like flipping a pan. The radical 口 (kǒu), which means mouth, can remind you of the words spoken when someone betrays another.
Meanings of 叛
pàn(pan4)
1to betray
2to rebel
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 叛
叛Simplified
9Strokes
又Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#17648Frequency Rank
Podcast: 叛
Podcast: 叛
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AI Study Notes for 叛
Quick Contrast
背叛 (bèipàn) vs 叛逆 (pànnì) — choose 叛 for a focus on betrayal against authority rather than the broader rebellious connotation of 叛逆.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 叛 with similar-sounding words like 盼 (pàn), which means to hope. This term is more formal and often used in literary or historical contexts, so it may not appear in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 叛徒 (pàntú - traitor) and 叛乱 (pànluàn - rebellion).
HSK Study Tips
While 叛 is not in the HSK curriculum, it connects to HSK-level vocabulary related to conflict and relationships, such as 背叛 (bèipàn - to betray) and 反叛 (fǎnpàn - to rebel). Focus on recognizing its use in phrases and understanding its implications in various contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 叛 with 叛逆 (pànnì - rebellious), which is more about defiance than betrayal. For example, saying '他是一个叛' (Tā shì yīgè pàn) is incorrect; instead, say '他是一个叛徒' (Tā shì yīgè pàntú - He is a traitor).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 叛
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Drill the tone of 叛 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 反 represents the meaning and 半 represents the sound.
1The meaning half反 carries the sense.
2The sound half半 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaycontrary
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 叛? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 叛?
Decomposition of 叛
IDS Structure⿰半反
叛Full Character
=
半ban4
left
反fan3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 叛?
How to say to betray in Chinese
“to betray” in Chinese is叛pàn
The character 叛 (pàn) means to betray or to rebel against authority or established norms. It is commonly used in contexts involving treachery, such as betrayal in personal relationships or revolt against a government. The nuance of this term often carries a moral weight, suggesting a breach of loyalty or allegiance.
When to use 叛
Be careful not to confuse 叛 with similar-sounding words like 盼 (pàn), which means to hope. This term is more formal and often used in literary or historical contexts, so it may not appear in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 叛徒 (pàntú - traitor) and 叛乱 (pànluàn - rebellion).
叛 or something close to it
背叛 (bèipàn) vs 叛逆 (pànnì) — choose 叛 for a focus on betrayal against authority rather than the broader rebellious connotation of 叛逆.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 叛 with 叛逆 (pànnì - rebellious), which is more about defiance than betrayal. For example, saying '他是一个叛' (Tā shì yīgè pàn) is incorrect; instead, say '他是一个叛徒' (Tā shì yīgè pàntú - He is a traitor).
Write 叛
叛
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Practice writing 叛 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 叛
叛 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 4 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.
