a loop of thread; shackles, fetters; to stumble, to trip
HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10539, Very Hard
绊
bàn
to hinder
HSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #10539, Very Hard
bàn(ban4) T4
1a loop of thread; shackles, fetters; to stumble, to trip
2to hinder
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March 24, 2026
绊(絆)bàn(ban4)
The character 绊 (bàn) primarily means 'to trip' or 'to stumble,' often used in contexts where someone is hindered or obstructed physically or metaphorically. It can also refer to the concept of being shackled or fettered, implying a limitation or restriction.
Strokes8Radical纟Frequency#10539DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of being 'tripped' or 'hindered' can also reflect life's challenges and obstacles, often depicted in literature and sayings that emphasize perseverance despite setbacks.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person (the character 绊) tripping over a loop of thread (the radical 糸, meaning thread), causing them to stumble. The sound 'bàn' can be remembered as 'ban'—a prohibition that can also hinder progress, similar to tripping.
Meanings of 绊
bàn(ban4)
1a loop of thread; shackles, fetters; to stumble, to trip
2to hinder
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 绊
绊Simplified
絆Traditional
8Strokes
纟Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 绊
Podcast: 绊
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AI Study Notes for 绊
Quick Contrast
绊 (bàn) vs 拖 (tuō) — use 绊 when referring specifically to tripping or stumbling, while 拖 implies dragging or pulling something along.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 绊 with similar sounding words that have different meanings; for example, the word '扮' (bàn) means to dress up, which is unrelated. This word is generally informal and can be used in everyday conversations about physical stumbles or metaphorically when discussing obstacles in life.
HSK Study Tips
While 绊 is not part of the official HSK levels, understanding this character can enhance vocabulary related to movement and obstruction, which might be seen in HSK 3 or 4 contexts. Focus on its usage in phrases that express hindrances or disruptions.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 绊 with similar characters like ‘拌’ (bàn), which means to mix. A common error is saying '我绊了我的食物' (I tripped my food), instead of the correct '我把食物绊倒了' (I tripped over the food).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 绊
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Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 半 represents the sound. Simplified form of 絆.
1The meaning half纟 carries the sense.
2The sound half半 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaythread
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 绊? 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 绊?
Decomposition of 绊
IDS Structure⿰纟半
绊Full Character
=
纟si1
left
半ban4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 绊?
How to say a loop of thread; shackles, fetters; to stumble, to trip in Chinese
“a loop of thread; shackles, fetters; to stumble, to trip” in Chinese is绊bàn
The character 绊 (bàn) primarily means 'to trip' or 'to stumble,' often used in contexts where someone is hindered or obstructed physically or metaphorically. It can also refer to the concept of being shackled or fettered, implying a limitation or restriction.
When to use 绊
Be cautious not to confuse 绊 with similar sounding words that have different meanings; for example, the word '扮' (bàn) means to dress up, which is unrelated. This word is generally informal and can be used in everyday conversations about physical stumbles or metaphorically when discussing obstacles in life.
绊 or something close to it
绊 (bàn) vs 拖 (tuō) — use 绊 when referring specifically to tripping or stumbling, while 拖 implies dragging or pulling something along.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes confuse 绊 with similar characters like ‘拌’ (bàn), which means to mix. A common error is saying '我绊了我的食物' (I tripped my food), instead of the correct '我把食物绊倒了' (I tripped over the food).
Write 绊
绊
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Practice writing 绊 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 绊
绊 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 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
电缆都是亮黄色，以防____倒人。
The cables are all bright yellow to prevent you tripping over them.
