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樊 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
樊fánsurname Fanunknown, 15 strokes, radical 木, rank #46380, Very Hard
樊fánrailing, fence, enclosed placenr, 15 strokes, radical 木, rank #46380, Very Hard
fán(Fan2)fan T2
  1. 1surname Fan
  2. 2railing, fence, enclosed place
Also a Chinese surname, Fan — see the Surname Dictionary
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March 24, 2026

樊fán(Fan2)

The character 樊 (fán) primarily refers to a fence or railing, symbolizing an enclosed space. It is often used in contexts that describe boundaries or protection, such as in architecture or describing areas that are fenced off.

Strokes15Radical木Frequency#46380DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of fencing or enclosing spaces is significant in traditional Chinese gardens, where fences are used to create private retreats, reflecting the value placed on harmony with nature.

Memory tip

Imagine a tall fence (the character 樊) that is protecting a beautiful garden. The two 'legs' of the character resemble the posts holding the fence upright, while the top can be visualized as a decorative railing. This helps you remember the sound 'fán' by associating it with 'fence'.

Meanings of 樊

fán(Fan2)
1railing, fence, enclosed place
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 樊

樊Simplified
15Strokes
木Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 樊

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Podcast: 樊

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AI study notes for 樊

Usage Notes

樊 is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation; it's more likely to appear in written texts. Common collocations include '樊篱' (fence) and '樊墙' (enclosed wall). Be mindful of using the correct tone, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 樊 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, students at this level should focus on recognizing it as a surname and understanding its meanings related to boundaries. Familiarity with similar characters, like 栅 (zhà, fence), can enhance comprehension.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 樊 with similar characters like 篱 (lí, fence) due to their visual similarities. Ensure you remember that 樊 specifically relates to a more formal concept of fencing or enclosure.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 樊

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Etymology of 樊

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

big

Semantic (meaning)大
+
Phonetic (sound)棥
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

樊 = 大 + 棥. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 樊

IDS Structure⿱棥大
樊Full character
=
棥fan2
top
大da4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 樊?

How to say surname Fan in Chinese

“surname Fan” in Chinese is樊fán

The character 樊 (fán) primarily refers to a fence or railing, symbolizing an enclosed space. It is often used in contexts that describe boundaries or protection, such as in architecture or describing areas that are fenced off.

When to use 樊

樊 is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation; it's more likely to appear in written texts. Common collocations include '樊篱' (fence) and '樊墙' (enclosed wall). Be mindful of using the correct tone, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 樊 with similar characters like 篱 (lí, fence) due to their visual similarities. Ensure you remember that 樊 specifically relates to a more formal concept of fencing or enclosure.

Write 樊

樊

Practice writing 樊 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 樊

Words containing this character6
樊fáncage
襄樊Xiangfan prefecture level city in Hubei
襄樊市Xiangfan prefecture level city in Hubei
樊笼bird cage樊籠
樊城Fangcheng district of Xiangfan city 襄樊市[Xiāng​fán​shì], Hubei
樊城区Fangcheng district of Xiangfan city 襄樊市[Xiāng​fán​shì], Hubei樊城區
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 樊

What does 襄樊 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 樊

In modern usage, 樊 typically refers to a fence or railing, and it can also be a common surname.

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