Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
畔 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
pànedgeHSK 6, ng, 10 strokes, radical 田, rank #25662, Hard
pànsideHSK 6, ng, 10 strokes, radical 田, rank #25662, Hard
pànboundaryHSK 6, ng, 10 strokes, radical 田, rank #25662, Hard
pànbank (of a river etc)HSK 6, ng, 10 strokes, radical 田, rank #25662, Hard
pànshoreHSK 6, ng, 10 strokes, radical 田, rank #25662, Hard
pànriver bank; a boundary path that divides fieldsHSK 6, ng, 10 strokes, radical 田, rank #25662, Hard
pàn(pan4) T4
  1. 1edge
  2. 2side
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
pàn(pan4)

The character 畔 (pàn) refers to the edge or boundary of an area, often specifically the bank of a river or the shore of a body of water. It can also signify a dividing path between fields, symbolizing a clear demarcation in landscapes. This term is commonly used in agricultural contexts or when discussing geographical features.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#25662DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, rivers and their banks (畔) hold significant meaning, often symbolizing life and prosperity. Many poems and songs celebrate the beauty of riverbanks, highlighting their importance in rural life and agriculture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a scenic riverbank where one side is lush and green while the other is rocky and dry. The character 畔 features the radical '田' (field) which represents agriculture, combined with '亻' (a person) suggesting people often gather at the bank to enjoy nature. This imagery helps you remember both the meaning of 'bank' and the pronunciation 'pàn'.

Meanings of 畔

pàn(pan4)
1edge
2side
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 畔

Simplified
10Strokes
Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#25662Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 畔

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 畔

Quick Contrast

堤 (dī) refers specifically to a dike or embankment, while 畔 (pàn) denotes a broader edge or boundary, often related to water bodies.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a scenic riverbank where one side is lush and green while the other is rocky and dry. The character 畔 features the radical '田' (field) which represents agriculture, combined with '亻' (a person) suggesting people often gather at the bank to enjoy nature. This imagery helps you remember both the meaning of 'bank' and the pronunciation 'pàn'.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 畔 (pàn) with similar-sounding words. It is more formal and specific to geographical features, so avoid using it in casual settings where a simpler term would suffice. Common collocations include '河畔' (riverbank) and '湖畔' (lake shore).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 畔 connects with other geographical and descriptive terms, enhancing vocabulary related to nature. Focus on combining it with phrases that describe locations or boundaries, which is beneficial for writing and speaking about landscapes.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, rivers and their banks (畔) hold significant meaning, often symbolizing life and prosperity. Many poems and songs celebrate the beauty of riverbanks, highlighting their importance in rural life and agriculture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 畔 (pàn) with 边 (biān) due to similar meanings. For instance, saying '在河边' (zài hé biān) instead of '在河畔' (zài hé pàn) misses the specific reference to the riverbank.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 畔

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 畔

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A farm 田 divided in half 半; 半 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 畔?

Decomposition of 畔

IDS Structure⿰田半
Full Character
=
Tian2
left
ban4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 畔?

Write 畔

Practice writing 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 畔

畔 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 6 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

这条道越过瓦尔山口之后,穿过于拜河____圣保罗。

After going over the Col de Vars, the route passes through St-Paul-sur-Ubaye.

Example Sentences for 畔 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这条道越过瓦尔山口之后,穿过于拜河畔圣保罗。

zhè tiáo dào yuè guò wǎ ěr shān kǒu zhī hòu, , chuān guò yú bài hé pàn shèng bǎo。

After going over the Col de Vars, the route passes through St-Paul-sur-Ubaye.
2
那位年轻女医生的话在他耳畔回响。

nà wèi nián qīng nǚ yī shēng de huà zài tā ěr pàn huí xiǎng。

The words of the young woman doctor echoed in his ears.
3
他忽闻有人在牡丹亭畔长吁短叹.

tā hū wén yǒu rén zài mǔ dān tíng pàn cháng xū duǎn tàn.

Suddenly he heard a rustle in the peony pavilion and someone sighing deeply.
4
他在阿格瓦姆湖畔拥有一座豪宅。

tā zài ā gé wǎ mǔ hú pàn yōng yǒu yī zuò háo zhái。

He owned a fancy house out on Lake Agawam.
5
实际上尼罗河畔的金字塔都在西岸.

shí jì shàng ní luó hé pàn de jīn zì tǎ dū zài xī àn.

In fact the pyramids along the Nile are on its west bank.
6
我们曾在那水畔垂钓, 收获颇丰.

wǒ mén zēng zài nà shuǐ pàn chuí diào, , shōu huò pō.

We once fished in that shore, harvest quite abundant.
7
他太爱寻畔了,因此在他的公司里我老是觉得不自在.

tā tài ài xún pàn le, , yīn cǐ zài tā de gōng sī lǐ wǒ lǎo shì jué dé bù zì.

He's so aggressive I always feel ill - at - ease in his company.
8
尼罗河畔的这座城市,云集了众多的古埃及遗迹.

ní luó hé pàn de zhè zuò chéng shì, , yún jí le zhòng duō de gǔ āi jí yí.

The Nile - side city is home to a wealth of ancient Egyptian monuments.
9
池畔古刹雄居, 林木掩映,仙风吹拂, 幽静神秘.

chí pàn gǔ chà xióng jū, , lín mù yǎn, yìng , xiān fēng, chuī fú , yōu.

Temple ranks pool, Hidden Forest, Sally wind blowing, the mysterious quiet.
10
忽闻有人在牡丹亭畔,长吁短叹.

hū wén yǒu rén zài mǔ dān tíng pàn, , cháng xū duǎn.

Suddenly a rustle in the peony pavilion and someone sighing deeply.

Cultural Notes for 畔

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, rivers and their banks (畔) hold significant meaning, often symbolizing life and prosperity. Many poems and songs celebrate the beauty of riverbanks, highlighting their importance in rural life and agriculture.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the concept of a riverbank may be more associated with recreation and leisure, while in China, it often conveys deeper agricultural and cultural significance.

Word Family of 畔

Compounds1
溿
Words Containing This Character4
pànedge
河畔hépànriverside
湖畔lakeside
江畔riverbank
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 畔 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 畔

Not exactly; it is specific to natural boundaries like riverbanks and shores, rather than man-made ones.