Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
斑bān(ban1)
The character 斑 (bān) refers to a spot, colored patch, or stripe. It is commonly used to describe something that is mottled, freckled, or has various colors, such as animal fur or patterns on fabric. In a broader context, it can also imply diversity or variation in appearance.
Strokes12Radical文Frequency#9218DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, various patterns and colors are often tied to symbolism and aesthetics. For example, the 斑马 (zebra) is not just an animal; it's a metaphor for diversity and uniqueness, which is appreciated in Chinese art and literature.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'band' of colors on a zebra's back. The '斑' looks like a band (bān) of spots that create an interesting pattern, helping you remember both its pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 斑
bān(ban1)
1spot
2colored patch
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 斑
斑Simplified
12Strokes
文Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9218Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 斑
Podcast: 斑
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 斑
Quick Contrast
斑点 (bāndiǎn) refers specifically to a spot or dot, while 斑纹 (bānwén) refers to a pattern or design; choose 斑 when discussing a more general or abstract concept of mottling rather than specific spots or patterns.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'band' of colors on a zebra's back. The '斑' looks like a band (bān) of spots that create an interesting pattern, helping you remember both its pronunciation and meaning.
Usage Notes
This character is often used in descriptive contexts, especially in art or nature. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words; its tone is the first tone (bān), which is high and level. Common collocations include 斑马 (bān mǎ) meaning zebra, highlighting its connection to spots.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 斑 is a good example of how descriptive language can enhance your vocabulary. Focus on using it in context with other descriptive words to build your fluency in painting vivid pictures with your language.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, various patterns and colors are often tied to symbolism and aesthetics. For example, the 斑马 (zebra) is not just an animal; it's a metaphor for diversity and uniqueness, which is appreciated in Chinese art and literature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 斑 (bān) with the character 班 (bān), which means 'class' or 'group'. Ensure you remember the context of spots and patterns for 斑, as in 斑马 (zebra) instead of using it in a classroom context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 斑
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 斑 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 斑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 斑
斑 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 7 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 4
Complete the Sentence
他戴帽以遮____秃。
He wears a cap to cover a spot of baldness.
Example Sentences for 斑 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他戴帽以遮斑秃。
tā dài mào yǐ zhē bān tū。
He wears a cap to cover a spot of baldness.
2
戒指内侧有一层厚厚的锈斑。
jiè zhǐ nèi cè yǒu yī céng hòu hòu de xiù bān。
The tarnish lay thick on the inside of the ring.
3
她那些色彩斑斓的油画与纸上作品给人一种天真、梦幻般的感觉。
tā nà xiē sè cǎi bān lán de yóu huà yǔ zhǐ shàng zuò pǐn gěi rén yī zhǒng tiān zhēn、 、 mèng huàn bān de gǎn。
Her colourful oils and works on paper have a naive, dreamlike quality.
4
牙齿和牙龈之间会滋生牙斑。
yá chǐ hé yá yín zhī jiān huì zī shēng yá bān。
Deposits of plaque build up between the tooth and the gum.
5
牙斑如果不清除就会导致牙齿蛀蚀和牙龈疾病。
yá bān rú guǒ bù qīng chú jiù huì dǎo zhì yá chǐ zhù shí hé yá yín jí bìng。
When not removed, plaque causes tooth decay and gum disease.
In the mornings the sky appeared a heavy shade of mottled gray.
7
树下凉爽斑驳的光点
shù xià liáng shuǎng bān bó de guāng diǎn
the cool dappled light under the trees
8
去年10月他被捕时，身上还带着一把血迹斑斑的刀。
qù nián10 10 yuè tā bèi bǔ， shí ， shēn shàng huán dài zháo yī bǎ xiě jì bān bān。
He was arrested last October still carrying a bloody knife.
9
那些狗老是往墙上蹭，留下了斑斑污迹。
nà xiē gǒu lǎo shì wǎng qiáng shàng cèng， ， liú xià le bān bān wū。
The dogs are always rubbing against the wall and making dirty marks.
10
她脸上长斑，而且肿起来了。
tā liǎn shàng cháng bān， ， ér qiě zhǒng qǐ lái。
Her face is blotched and swollen.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
He wears a cap to cover a spot of baldness.
Tap tokens to build the sentence
Cultural Notes for 斑
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, various patterns and colors are often tied to symbolism and aesthetics. For example, the 斑马 (zebra) is not just an animal; it's a metaphor for diversity and uniqueness, which is appreciated in Chinese art and literature.
Word Family of 斑
Compounds1
癍ban1pockmarks on the skin
Words Containing This Character20
斑bānspot
斑点bāndiǎnspot斑點
斑马zebra斑馬
雀斑freckles
斑斑full of stains or spots
耀斑solar flare
黄斑yellow spot黃斑
斑驳mottled斑駁
斑马线crosswalk斑馬線
红斑erythema (pathol.)紅斑
斑纹stripe斑紋
黑斑dark spot or blotch on the skin
斑斓gorgeous斑斕
一斑lit. one spot (on the leopard)
黄褐斑chloasma黃褐斑
斑白grizzled
斑鸠turtledove斑鳩
光斑facula (astronomy)
血迹斑斑bloodstained血跡斑斑
花斑patches
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 癍 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 斑
Common phrases include 斑点 (bān diǎn) which means 'spots' or 'speckles', and 斑马 (bān mǎ) meaning 'zebra'.
It is pronounced with a high and level tone, like 'bān', ensuring you don't lower your voice at the end.
Yes, it can be used metaphorically to describe diversity or variations in opinions or styles.
