unit of volume equal to 12 斗 and 8 升, approx 128 liters
HSK 5, n, 9 strokes, radical 皿, rank #7285, Hard
盆
pén
basin, bowl, pot, tub
HSK 5, n, 9 strokes, radical 皿, rank #7285, Hard
pén(pen2) T2
1basin
2flower pot
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March 24, 2026
盆pén(pen2)
The character 盆 (pén) refers to a basin or a flower pot, commonly used for holding water or planting flowers. It can also denote a unit of volume roughly equivalent to 128 liters, primarily used in agricultural contexts. In everyday usage, it often indicates containers for plants or water-related tasks.
Strokes9Radical皿Frequency#7285DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, potted plants (花盆) are often used in homes for decoration and are believed to bring good luck and positive energy (运气). The practice of bonsai, which involves growing miniature trees in pots, is also popular.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large basin (盆) holding a beautiful flower pot. The character has a rounded top, resembling the curve of a bowl, and the bottom part looks like it could be a base, supporting the pot. Think of 'pén' as a pot that is 'penning' in water or flowers.
Meanings of 盆
pén(pen2)
1basin
2flower pot
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 盆
盆Simplified
9Strokes
皿Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7285Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 盆
Podcast: 盆
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AI Study Notes for 盆
Quick Contrast
花盆 (huāpén, flower pot) vs 水盆 (shuǐpén, water basin) — use 盆 for a more general term that can refer to both types of containers.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 盆 (pén) with other similar characters like 碗 (wǎn) meaning 'bowl'. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but more commonly in everyday conversation. Common phrases include 盆栽 (pénzāi) for 'potted plants'.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 盆 connects with other vocabulary related to gardening and household items. Students should focus on compound words that include 盆, such as 花盆 (huāpén) and its usage in context.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 盆 (pén) with other container-related words. For example, saying '我有一个碗' (Wǒ yǒu yīgè wǎn) instead of '我有一个盆' (Wǒ yǒu yīgè pén) when referring to a flower pot. Always ensure you are using the correct character for the type of container.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 盆
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Phonosemantic compound. 皿 represents the meaning and 分 represents the sound.
1The meaning half皿 carries the sense.
2The sound half分 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaydish
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 盆? 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 盆?
Decomposition of 盆
IDS Structure⿱分皿
盆Full Character
=
分fen1
top
皿min3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 盆?
How to say basin in Chinese
“basin” in Chinese is盆pén
The character 盆 (pén) refers to a basin or a flower pot, commonly used for holding water or planting flowers. It can also denote a unit of volume roughly equivalent to 128 liters, primarily used in agricultural contexts. In everyday usage, it often indicates containers for plants or water-related tasks.
When to use 盆
Be careful not to confuse 盆 (pén) with other similar characters like 碗 (wǎn) meaning 'bowl'. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but more commonly in everyday conversation. Common phrases include 盆栽 (pénzāi) for 'potted plants'.
盆 or something close to it
花盆 (huāpén, flower pot) vs 水盆 (shuǐpén, water basin) — use 盆 for a more general term that can refer to both types of containers.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 盆 (pén) with other container-related words. For example, saying '我有一个碗' (Wǒ yǒu yīgè wǎn) instead of '我有一个盆' (Wǒ yǒu yīgè pén) when referring to a flower pot. Always ensure you are using the correct character for the type of container.
Write 盆
盆
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Practice writing 盆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 盆
盆 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 4 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 5
Complete the Sentence
在一只____里放上水，轻轻地用蘸湿的海绵擦拭你的面部及身体。
Fill a bowl with water and gently sponge your face and body.
Example Sentences for 盆 (13)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
在一只盆里放上水，轻轻地用蘸湿的海绵擦拭你的面部及身体。
zài yī zhī pén lǐ fàng shàng shuǐ， ， qīng qīng dì yòng zhàn shī de hǎi mián cā shì nǐ de miàn bù jí shēn。
Fill a bowl with water and gently sponge your face and body.
We use a basin to collect rainwater for watering the flowers.
Word Family of 盆
Compounds2
湓pen2an affluent of the Yangtze river
葐
Words Containing This Character20
盆pénbasin
浴盆bathtub
盆地péndìdepression
骨盆pelvis
盆栽Japanese: bonsai
盆腔birth canal
花盆flower pot
盆子basin
倾盆大雨a downpour傾盆大雨
盆景bonsai
澡盆bath tub
便盆bed pan
脸盆liǎnpénwashbowl臉盆
火盆brazier
四川盆地Sichuan basin
聚宝盆cornucopia聚寶盆
临盆in labor臨盆
塔里木盆地Tarim Basin depression in southern Xinjiang
盆花potted flower
柴达木盆地Tsaidam or Qaidam basin (Mongolian: salt marsh), depression northeast of the Plateau of Tibet, located between the Qilian Shan and the Kunlun Shan at the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.柴達木盆地
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 湓 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 盆
盆 (pén) is a basin or pot, while 碗 (wǎn) refers specifically to a bowl, typically used for eating.
You can say '我买了一个花盆' (Wǒ mǎile yīgè huāpén) which means 'I bought a flower pot'.
Yes, 盆栽 (pénzāi) is a common term for potted plants and is often used in gardening discussions.
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