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一番 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
一番yīfāna round; a timeHSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #4149, Hard
yīfān(yi1 fan1)yi fan
  1. 1a round; a time
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March 24, 2026

一番yīfān(yi1 fan1)

一番 (yī fān) is an expression used to indicate 'a round' or 'a time' of doing something, often implying a significant or complete effort. It can be used to emphasize the extent of an action, such as putting in a lot of work or going through a thorough experience. Common contexts include discussions about efforts, experiences, or competitions.

Strokes13Frequency#4149DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The phrase 一番 can reflect the Chinese cultural value of hard work and effort, particularly in competitive settings like examinations or sports. The emphasis on thoroughness and diligence is a common theme in Chinese education and society.

Memory Tip

Think of 一 (yī) as 'one' and 番 (fān) as 'round' or 'turn'. Imagine taking one complete turn around a racetrack, indicating a significant effort or experience in that round. Visualize yourself running a lap and then saying, 'I did it, that was my 一番!'

Meanings of 一番

yīfān(yi1 fan1)
1a round; a time
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About 一番

一番Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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AI Study Notes for 一番

Usage Notes

Be careful to use 一番 in contexts where you want to emphasize the extent or intensity of an action. It is often more formal than everyday speech, so use it in written contexts or serious conversations. A common collocation is 一番努力 (yī fān nǔlì), meaning 'to put in a lot of effort'.

HSK Study Tips

Since 一番 is not a basic HSK vocabulary word, learners should focus on recognizing it in context, especially in written texts. It can be connected to other words that indicate quantity or extent, such as 一次 (yī cì), meaning 'once'.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 一番 with just 一 (yī) and use it inappropriately. For example, saying '我一番去商店' (wǒ yī fān qù shāngdiàn) is incorrect; the correct form would be '我去商店了一番' (wǒ qù shāngdiàn le yī fān), emphasizing the effort of going.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 一番

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Component Characters

一yīone
HSK 11 strokes一
View full entry
番fānforeign country
HSK 612 strokes田
View full entry

How to say a round; a time in Chinese

“a round; a time” in Chinese is一番yīfān

一番 (yī fān) is an expression used to indicate 'a round' or 'a time' of doing something, often implying a significant or complete effort. It can be used to emphasize the extent of an action, such as putting in a lot of work or going through a thorough experience. Common contexts include discussions about efforts, experiences, or competitions.

When to use 一番

Be careful to use 一番 in contexts where you want to emphasize the extent or intensity of an action. It is often more formal than everyday speech, so use it in written contexts or serious conversations. A common collocation is 一番努力 (yī fān nǔlì), meaning 'to put in a lot of effort'.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 一番 with just 一 (yī) and use it inappropriately. For example, saying '我一番去商店' (wǒ yī fān qù shāngdiàn) is incorrect; the correct form would be '我去商店了一番' (wǒ qù shāngdiàn le yī fān), emphasizing the effort of going.

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番

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Frequently Asked Questions about 一番

It typically means 'a round' or 'a time' of doing something, often emphasizing the effort put into that action.

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