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March 24, 2026
払fǎn(fan3)
The character 払 (fǎn) primarily means to shake off or brush away something, often dust or debris. It can also imply the action of taking or fetching something. In certain contexts, it can serve as a variant in Japanese for the character 拂 (fu2), adding to its nuanced usage in different languages.
Strokes5Radical扌Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of brushing away dust is often symbolic of clearing away negative energy or bad luck, especially during festivals like the Lunar New Year when cleaning is a common practice to welcome good fortune.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person shaking off dust from their clothes after a day out. The character 払 looks like a hand (扌) brushing away dirt (the horizontal line represents the action), helping you remember that it means to shake off.
Meanings of 払
fǎn(fan3)
primary
1shake off, brush away; dust
2to take
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 払
払Simplified
5Strokes
扌Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 払
Podcast: 払
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AI Study Notes for 払
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person shaking off dust from their clothes after a day out. The character 払 looks like a hand (扌) brushing away dirt (the horizontal line represents the action), helping you remember that it means to shake off.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 払 with 拂 (fu2), as they have similar meanings but different usages. 払 is generally more informal, used in everyday contexts when talking about cleaning or tidying up. Be cautious with the tone; ensure you pronounce it as fǎn to convey the correct meaning.
HSK Study Tips
While 払 is not included in the official HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to other HSK words related to cleaning and tidying, such as 清 (qīng, to clean). Students should focus on the action-oriented nature of the word, which can enhance their descriptive vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of brushing away dust is often symbolic of clearing away negative energy or bad luck, especially during festivals like the Lunar New Year when cleaning is a common practice to welcome good fortune.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 払 with 拂, mistakenly using 払 in more formal contexts. For example, saying 払去 (fǎn qù) in a formal essay instead of 拂去 (fu2 qù) can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 払
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Cultural Notes for 払
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of brushing away dust is often symbolic of clearing away negative energy or bad luck, especially during festivals like the Lunar New Year when cleaning is a common practice to welcome good fortune.
Word Family of 払
Words Containing This Character1
払fǎnto take
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 払 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 払
You might see 払 used in phrases related to cleaning, like 払去灰尘 (fǎn qù huīchén), meaning 'to brush away dust'.
Generally, 払 is used in informal contexts, while 拂 is more common in formal writing.
