to drift, to float; broad, vast; careless, reckless
v, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10713, Hard
泛
fàn
to be suffused with
unknown, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10713, Hard
泛
fàn
general
unknown, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10713, Hard
泛
fàn
extensive
unknown, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10713, Hard
泛
fàn
non-specific
unknown, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10713, Hard
泛
fàn
flood
unknown, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10713, Hard
泛
fàn
pan- (prefix)
unknown, 7 strokes, radical 氵, rank #10713, Hard
fàn(fan4) T4
1to drift, to float; broad, vast; careless, reckless
2to be suffused with
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
泛(氾)fàn(fan4)
The character 泛 (fàn) primarily means 'to drift' or 'to float.' It can also describe something that is broad or extensive, and can convey a sense of carelessness or recklessness in certain contexts. Commonly used to describe water-related phenomena or to express a general, non-specific quality.
Strokes7Radical氵Frequency#10713DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, water is often associated with both tranquility and chaos, as seen in idioms that use 泛 to describe floods or overwhelming situations. This reflects the dual nature of water in Chinese philosophy, as both a life-giving and destructive force.
Memory Tip
Imagine a boat (representing 'float') drifting on a vast ocean (symbolizing 'broad'). The character 泛 looks like a wave (the water radical 氵) moving over the surface, reminding you of floating and drifting.
Meanings of 泛
fàn(fan4)
1to drift, to float; broad, vast; careless, reckless
2to be suffused with
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 泛
泛Simplified
氾Traditional
7Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#10713Frequency Rank
Podcast: 泛
Podcast: 泛
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 泛
Quick Contrast
漂 (piāo) - use 漂 when emphasizing the lightness or elegance of floating, while 泛 suggests a broader or more careless floating.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a boat (representing 'float') drifting on a vast ocean (symbolizing 'broad'). The character 泛 looks like a wave (the water radical 氵) moving over the surface, reminding you of floating and drifting.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 泛 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. This word is generally used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in literary or descriptive language. Common collocations include 泛滥 (fànlàn, to flood) and 泛化 (fànhuà, to generalize).
HSK Study Tips
While 泛 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your reading comprehension of literary texts. Focus on its usage in phrases and collocations to grasp its broader meanings and nuances.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, water is often associated with both tranquility and chaos, as seen in idioms that use 泛 to describe floods or overwhelming situations. This reflects the dual nature of water in Chinese philosophy, as both a life-giving and destructive force.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 泛 with similar characters like 燃 (rán, to burn) due to pronunciation similarities. Ensure you remember that 泛 relates to water and drifting, not fire.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 泛
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 泛 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 泛 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 泛
泛 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 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.
I suspect this book will have the widest appeal of all.
10
禁毒专家说它可能会结束强效可卡因吸食泛滥的局面。
jīn dú zhuān jiā shuō tā kě néng huì jié shù qiáng xiào kě kǎ yīn xī shí fàn làn de jú miàn。
Drug experts say it could spell the end of the crack epidemic.
Cultural Notes for 泛
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, water is often associated with both tranquility and chaos, as seen in idioms that use 泛 to describe floods or overwhelming situations. This reflects the dual nature of water in Chinese philosophy, as both a life-giving and destructive force.
Word Family of 泛
Words Containing This Character20
广泛guǎngfànextensive廣泛
泛fànto float
泛滥fànlànto be in flood泛濫
宽泛kuānfànwide-ranging寬泛
泛起to appear
泛舟to go boating
泛指to make a general reference
泛滥成灾fig. rampant泛濫成災
泛泛而谈to speak in general terms泛泛而談
空泛shallow
泛酸vitamin B5
泛读extensive reading泛讀
泛泛之交nodding acquaintance
泛音overtone
活泛flexible
泛称general term泛稱
浮泛to float about
泛神论pantheism, theological theory equating God with the Universe泛神論
泛大陆Pangea (geology)泛大陸
松泛relaxed鬆泛
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 广泛 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 泛
泛 is often used in literary contexts or discussions about nature, particularly water.
Common phrases include 泛滥 (fànlàn, to flood) and 泛化 (fànhuà, to generalize).
泛 can be used in both contexts, but is more prevalent in formal or literary language.
