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褊 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
褊biǎn4cramped, narrow; crowded; urgentag, 14 strokes, radical 衤
biǎn(bian3) T3
  1. 14cramped, narrow; crowded; urgent
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

褊biǎn(bian3)

The character 褊 (biǎn) refers to something that is cramped, narrow, or crowded. It can describe physical spaces, such as a narrow path or tight quarters, as well as metaphorical situations, like urgent circumstances or a sense of being overwhelmed. It embodies a feeling of constriction or urgency in various contexts.

Strokes14Radical衤
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, space and comfort are highly valued, making the concept of being 褊 particularly relevant in crowded urban areas where living conditions can be tight. This word reflects the realities of modern life in bustling cities like Beijing or Shanghai.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tight, cramped space where you can barely move. The character 褊 consists of the radical 衤 (clothing) which suggests being wrapped tightly, combined with the character 扁 (flat), depicting something that is pressed down. Picture a flat box that is too small for your clothes, giving you a sense of urgency to find a bigger one.

Meanings of 褊

biǎn(bian3)
14cramped, narrow; crowded; urgent
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 褊

褊Simplified
14Strokes
衤Radical
形容词性语素xíngróngcíadjective root (adj.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 褊

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Podcast: 褊

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AI Study Notes for 褊

Usage Notes

When using 褊, be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters. It is generally more formal and can be used in both written and spoken contexts, but is particularly prevalent in descriptive or literary language. Common collocations include 褊迫 (crowded) and 褊急 (urgent).

HSK Study Tips

Although 褊 is not present in the HSK vocabulary, it connects to other descriptive words in the HSK levels, like 窄 (narrow) and 急 (urgent). Students should focus on understanding its nuances in describing both physical and emotional states.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 褊 with similar characters like 窄 (narrow) or 急 (urgent). For example, saying '这个地方很急' (This place is very urgent) is incorrect; the correct phrase should be '这个地方很褊' to convey it is cramped.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 褊

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Etymology of 褊

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

cloth

Semantic (meaning)衤
+
Phonetic (sound)扁
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 褊

  1. 1The meaning half衤 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half扁 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaycloth
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 褊? 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 褊?

Decomposition of 褊

IDS Structure⿰衤扁
褊Full Character
=
衤yi1
left
扁bian3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 褊?

How to say 4cramped, narrow; crowded; urgent in Chinese

“4cramped, narrow; crowded; urgent” in Chinese is褊biǎn

The character 褊 (biǎn) refers to something that is cramped, narrow, or crowded. It can describe physical spaces, such as a narrow path or tight quarters, as well as metaphorical situations, like urgent circumstances or a sense of being overwhelmed. It embodies a feeling of constriction or urgency in various contexts.

When to use 褊

When using 褊, be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters. It is generally more formal and can be used in both written and spoken contexts, but is particularly prevalent in descriptive or literary language. Common collocations include 褊迫 (crowded) and 褊急 (urgent).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 褊 with similar characters like 窄 (narrow) or 急 (urgent). For example, saying '这个地方很急' (This place is very urgent) is incorrect; the correct phrase should be '这个地方很褊' to convey it is cramped.

Write 褊

褊

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 褊

Words Containing This Character2
褊biǎnnarrow
褊狭narrow褊狹
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 褊 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 褊

You can say: '这个房间太褊了,放不下更多的家具。' (This room is too cramped to fit more furniture.)

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 褊?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.