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跋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
跋báto walk, to travel; epilogue, colophonng, 12 strokes, radical 足
跋bápostscriptunknown, 12 strokes, radical 足
跋báto trek across mountainsunknown, 12 strokes, radical 足
bá(ba2)ba T2
  1. 1to walk, to travel; epilogue, colophon
  2. 2postscript
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March 24, 2026

跋bá(ba2)

The character 跋 (bá) primarily refers to the act of walking or traveling, particularly in challenging terrains like mountains. It is also used in literary contexts to denote an epilogue, colophon, or postscript, often found at the end of a book or document to provide additional information or commentary.

Strokes12Radical足
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese literature, the use of a 跋 is common in poetry and essays to provide a personal reflection or commentary, often adding depth to the main text and connecting the author's thoughts to the reader.

Memory tip

Imagine a brave traveler (the character) climbing steep mountains (the radical '足' meaning foot). Visualize that after a long trek, they write a note at the summit to share their journey (the literary meaning). The pronunciation 'bá' sounds like 'bar'—think of a bar where travelers share their adventures.

Meanings of 跋

bá(ba2)
1to walk, to travel; epilogue, colophon
2postscript
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 跋

跋Simplified
12Strokes
足Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 跋

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AI Study Notes for 跋

Usage Notes

Be mindful not to confuse 跋 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It is generally used in formal contexts, especially in literature. Common collocations include '跋文' (postscript) and '跋涉' (to trek), so familiarize yourself with these phrases.

HSK Study Tips

Although 跋 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enrich your reading of classical texts. Focus on recognizing it in literary works and connecting it with other characters related to movement or travel, like 行 (xíng) and 走 (zǒu).

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 跋 in casual conversation, where simpler terms like 走 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我今天要跋去商店' (I want to trek to the store) instead of '我今天要走去商店' (I want to walk to the store) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 跋

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Etymology of 跋

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

foot

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

Origin

跋 = 足 + 犮. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 跋

IDS Structure⿰足犮
跋Full character
=
足ju4
left
犮ba2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 跋?

How to say to walk, to travel; epilogue, colophon in Chinese

“to walk, to travel; epilogue, colophon” in Chinese is跋bá

The character 跋 (bá) primarily refers to the act of walking or traveling, particularly in challenging terrains like mountains. It is also used in literary contexts to denote an epilogue, colophon, or postscript, often found at the end of a book or document to provide additional information or commentary.

When to use 跋

Be mindful not to confuse 跋 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It is generally used in formal contexts, especially in literature. Common collocations include '跋文' (postscript) and '跋涉' (to trek), so familiarize yourself with these phrases.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 跋 in casual conversation, where simpler terms like 走 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我今天要跋去商店' (I want to trek to the store) instead of '我今天要走去商店' (I want to walk to the store) is incorrect.

Write 跋

跋

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

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Grammar Patterns of 跋

跋 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 3 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 3

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

这趟上山是一次艰难的____涉.

It was a hard trudge up the hill.

Example Sentences for 跋 (2)

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1
这趟上山是一次艰难的跋涉.

zhè tàng shàngshān shì yī cì jiānnán de bá shè.

It was a hard trudge up the hill.
2
大部分时候都是沿着被人踩得坑坑洼洼的小路跋涉。

dàbùfen shíhou dōushì yánzhe bèi rén cǎi de kēng kēng wā wā de xiǎolù bá shè。

Most of the trek is along worn paths.

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Word Family of 跋

Words containing this character9
跋涉to trudge
长途跋涉long and difficult trek長途跋涉
跋bápostscript
拓跋also written 拓拔
跋扈bossy
跋山涉水to travel over land and water (idiom)
飞扬跋扈bossy and domineering飛揚跋扈
题跋short comments題跋
序跋preface and postscript
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 跋

What does 跋涉 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 跋

While both relate to movement, 跋 emphasizes the idea of trekking or walking in difficult conditions, while 走 is more general, meaning 'to walk' or 'to leave'.

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