HSK 3, a, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #2079, Medium
胖
pán
fat
HSK 3, a, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #2079, Medium
胖
pán
at ease
HSK 3, a, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #2079, Medium
胖
pán
plump
HSK 3, a, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #2079, Medium
胖
pán
fat, plump, obese; a fat person
HSK 3, a, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #2079, Medium
胖
pàng
healthy
HSK 3, a, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #2079, Medium
胖
pàng
fat
HSK 3, a, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #2079, Medium
胖
pàng
at ease
HSK 3, a, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #2079, Medium
胖
pàng
plump
HSK 3, a, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #2079, Medium
胖
pàng
fat, plump, obese; a fat person
HSK 3, a, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #2079, Medium
pán(pan2)
primary
T2
1healthy
2fat
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March 24, 2026
胖pán(pan2)
The character 胖 (pàng) primarily means 'fat' or 'plump', often used to describe a person's body size. It can carry a neutral or affectionate connotation depending on the context, but it may also be perceived negatively in more formal or sensitive settings. Commonly, it is used in casual conversations about health, body image, and food.
Strokes9Radical⺼Frequency#2079DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussions around body size can be sensitive, and while 胖 can be used affectionately among friends, it may offend if used in the wrong context. The idea of being plump can also be associated with prosperity and health in some traditional views.
Memory Tip
Imagine a round, plump panda (胖) lounging comfortably. The character 胖 has the radical '肉' (meat) on the left, hinting at its connection to body size. Visualize the panda enjoying a large meal to remember both the meaning and the pronunciation pàng.
Meanings of 胖
pán(pan2)
primary
1healthy
2fat
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 胖
胖Simplified
9Strokes
⺼Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2079Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 胖
Podcast: 胖
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AI Study Notes for 胖
Quick Contrast
胖 (pàng) vs 肥 (féi) — use 胖 for a more casual or affectionate tone, while 肥 often carries a more negative connotation.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a round, plump panda (胖) lounging comfortably. The character 胖 has the radical '肉' (meat) on the left, hinting at its connection to body size. Visualize the panda enjoying a large meal to remember both the meaning and the pronunciation pàng.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 胖, as it can be considered impolite if used to describe someone directly. It's more acceptable to use it affectionately or when discussing pets. Common collocations include 胖子 (pàngzi, 'fat person') and 胖瘦 (pàng shòu, 'fat and thin').
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 胖 connects to other adjectives describing physical characteristics, such as 瘦 (shòu, 'thin') and 高 (gāo, 'tall'). Focus on using it in simple descriptive sentences to enhance your vocabulary about physical appearances.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussions around body size can be sensitive, and while 胖 can be used affectionately among friends, it may offend if used in the wrong context. The idea of being plump can also be associated with prosperity and health in some traditional views.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 胖 (pàng) with 瘦 (shòu) and may use them interchangeably, leading to incorrect descriptions. For example, saying '他很瘦' (Tā hěn shòu, 'He is very fat') is incorrect if intending to describe someone as fat.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 胖
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Grammar Patterns of 胖
胖 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 5 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.
Obesity correlates with increased risk for hypertension and stroke.
5
这些体格健壮的运动员吃这么多会变成胖子的。
zhè xiē tǐ gé jiàn zhuàng de yùn dòng yuán chī zhè mó duō huì biàn chéng pàng zǐ de。
Consuming this amount of food could turn these fit players into fatties.
6
他又矮又胖，挺着个大啤酒肚。
tā yòu ǎi yòu pàng， ， tǐng zháo gè dà pí jiǔ。
He was short and fat, with a large beer belly.
7
你太瘦了，我们要把你养胖些。
nǐ tài shòu le， ， wǒ mén yào bǎ nǐ yǎng pàng。
You're too skinny — we'll have to fatten you up.
8
她太瘦了，把她养胖点。
tā tài shòu le， ， bǎ tā yǎng pàng。
She is too thin. Feed her up a bit.
9
他肌肉发达，但是太胖了，没给人留下好印象。
tā jī ròu fā dá， ， dàn shì tài pàng， le ， méi gěi rén liú xià hǎo。
He was well-built, but too fleshy to be impressive.
10
有些女孩子笑她胖.
yǒu xiē nǚ hái zǐ xiào tā pàng.
Some of the girls taunted her about her weight.
Cultural Notes for 胖
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, being plump is sometimes associated with wealth and prosperity, as it can suggest access to good food. However, attitudes towards body image are evolving, especially among younger generations.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, discussions around body size can be sensitive, and while 胖 can be used affectionately among friends, it may offend if used in the wrong context. The idea of being plump can also be associated with prosperity and health in some traditional views.
📜Proverb
There’s a saying, '胖子也有春天', which means 'Even the fat have their spring', implying that everyone has their moments of happiness and success, regardless of their appearance.
Word Family of 胖
Words Containing This Character16
胖pánfat
胖子pàngzifatty
肥胖féipàngfat
发胖to get fat發胖
矮胖dumpy
胖乎乎chubby
肥胖症obesity
胖嘟嘟plump
打肿脸充胖子lit. to swell one's face up by slapping it to look imposing (idiom); to seek to impress by feigning more than one's abilities打腫臉充胖子
胖大海malva nut
心宽体胖big-hearted and serene (idiom); contented and easy-going心寬體胖
胖头鱼bighead carp胖頭魚
胖墩儿a roly-poly胖墩兒
胖墩墩short and stout
一口吃个胖子to be impatient for success一口吃個胖子
心广体胖big-hearted and serene (idiom); contended and easy-going心廣體胖
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 胖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 胖
胖 (pàng) can have varying connotations in Chinese, depending on the context and tone. While it primarily means 'fat,' it may be used affectionately among friends or family. However, it can also be seen as negative if used in a derogatory way.
胖 (pàng) means 'fat' or 'plump' in Chinese. It can describe a person's physical appearance or be used in phrases about health. In some contexts, it can have a neutral or even endearing connotation.
You can use 胖 in sentences by describing someone's body type. For example, you might say, '他很胖' (tā hěn pàng), which means 'He is very fat.' It's important to be sensitive when using this term in social contexts.
Not necessarily; it can be used affectionately among friends or family but may be seen as rude in formal situations.
You can say '他很胖' (Tā hěn pàng), which means 'He is very fat,' but be mindful of the context.
Yes, you can use 胖 to describe foods that are rich or fatty, such as '胖猪肉' (pàng zhūròu, 'fat pork').
