Meanings of 板
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About 板
Podcast: 板
Podcast: 板
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AI Study Notes for 板
木板 (mùbǎn) vs 板 (bǎn) — use 木板 when specifically referring to a wooden board, while 板 can refer to boards made of various materials.
Be careful not to confuse 板 with similar-sounding characters like 版 (bǎn), which means 'edition' or 'version.' This character is generally neutral in tone, but in formal contexts, it may refer to authoritative documents or boards of directors. Common collocations include '木板' (wooden board) and '桌板' (tabletop).
Although 板 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for HSK 3-4 learners who are building their vocabulary around everyday objects. Focus on its various meanings and how it combines with other characters to form common phrases.
Learners often confuse 板 with 版 (bǎn) when discussing editions or versions. For example, saying '书板' (shū bǎn) instead of '书版' (shū bǎn) for 'book edition' is incorrect. Always remember that 板 refers specifically to physical boards or planks.
Pronunciation of 板
Drill the tone of 板 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 板
Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 反 represents the sound. Simplified form of 闆.
wood
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 板
Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 反 represents the sound. Simplified form of 闆.
- 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half反 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaywood
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 板? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 板?
Decomposition of 板
Identify the Components
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How to say board in Chinese
“board” in Chinese is板
The character 板 (bǎn) primarily refers to a flat piece of material, such as a board or plank. It is commonly used in contexts involving construction, furniture, or sports, such as table tennis. Additionally, it can imply something stiff or serious when describing expressions or attitudes.
When to use 板
Be careful not to confuse 板 with similar-sounding characters like 版 (bǎn), which means 'edition' or 'version.' This character is generally neutral in tone, but in formal contexts, it may refer to authoritative documents or boards of directors. Common collocations include '木板' (wooden board) and '桌板' (tabletop).
板 or something close to it
木板 (mùbǎn) vs 板 (bǎn) — use 木板 when specifically referring to a wooden board, while 板 can refer to boards made of various materials.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 板 with 版 (bǎn) when discussing editions or versions. For example, saying '书板' (shū bǎn) instead of '书版' (shū bǎn) for 'book edition' is incorrect. Always remember that 板 refers specifically to physical boards or planks.
Write 板
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Practice writing 板 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 板
板 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 13 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.
Complete the Sentence
黑____上写了两行汉字。
Two lines of Chinese characters are written on the blackboard.
Example Sentences for 板 (10)
Word Family of 板
Compound Meaning
What does 老板 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 板
板 can mean a board, plank, or even a table tennis bat, depending on the context.
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