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番 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
番Pānforeign countryHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番PānforeignerHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番Pānforeign (non-Chinese)HSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番PānbarbarianHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番Pānclassifier for occurrences (of an action or deed)HSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番Pān-fold (as in twofold etc)HSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番PānkindHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番PānsortHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番Pānto take turns, to repeat; to sow; a turnHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番Pānclassifier for occurrences (of an event, action or speech utterance)HSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番Pānclassifier for iterations: times, -fold (as in twofold etc)HSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番Pānclassifier for situations: kind, sortHSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番Pānsurname PanHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番fānforeign countryHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番fānforeignerHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番fānforeign (non-Chinese)HSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番fānbarbarianHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番fānclassifier for occurrences (of an action or deed)HSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番fān-fold (as in twofold etc)HSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番fānkindHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番fānsortHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番fānto take turns, to repeat; to sow; a turnHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番fānclassifier for occurrences (of an event, action or speech utterance)HSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番fānclassifier for iterations: times, -fold (as in twofold etc)HSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番fānclassifier for situations: kind, sortHSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
番fānsurname PanHSK 6, q, 12 strokes, radical 田, rank #6191, Hard
fān(fan1)
primary
 T1
  1. 1foreign country
  2. 2foreigner
Also a Chinese surname, Pan — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

番fān(fan1)

The character 番 (fān) primarily refers to something foreign or from a different country, often used to denote non-Chinese elements. It can also be a classifier for occurrences, indicating repetitions or types, such as in 'twofold'. In certain contexts, it is associated with the concept of 'taking turns' or 'kinds'.

Strokes12Radical田Frequency#6191DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the term 番 can carry historical connotations, especially in reference to 'barbarians' during ancient times, reflecting the historical perspective towards foreign peoples and cultures. This context is important when discussing China's views on foreign interactions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a foreign visitor (from a different '番') holding a flag that represents their country. The left radical (田) looks like fields, suggesting agricultural roots, while the right side (方) hints at direction or position, emphasizing the idea of 'foreign land'. Together, they form a vivid image of cross-cultural exchange.

Meanings of 番

fān(fan1)
primary
1foreign country
2foreigner
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 番

番Simplified
12Strokes
田Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#6191Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 番

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Podcast: 番

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 番

Quick Contrast

次 (cì) — use 番 (fān) for types or occurrences with a focus on foreign elements, while 次 (cì) generally refers to order or sequence.

Usage Notes

番 can often be confused with similar sounding characters like 反 (fǎn) which means 'to oppose' or 'reverse'. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, but care should be taken in tone usage, as it is pronounced in the first tone. Common collocations include 番茄 (fānqié - tomato) and 一番 (yī fān - one time).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 character, 番 connects with vocabulary related to foreign cultures and experiences. Students should focus on its various meanings and contexts, especially in distinguishing between its uses as a classifier and as an adjective for foreignness.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 番 with the similar character 反 (fǎn), leading to incorrect usage such as saying '反外国' instead of '番外国' when referring to foreign countries. It's important to remember that 番 specifically indicates foreignness or iterations.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 番

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Etymology of 番

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

Phonosemantic compound. 田 represents the meaning and 釆 represents the sound. Original meaning unclear.

Memory Hint

Sowing seeds 米 on the farm 田

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 番

Phonosemantic compound. 田 represents the meaning and 釆 represents the sound. Original meaning unclear.

  1. 1The giveawaySowing seeds 米 on the farm 田
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 番? 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 番?

Decomposition of 番

IDS Structure⿱⿱？米田
番Full Character
=
米Mi3
top
田Tian2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 番?

How to say foreign country in Chinese

“foreign country” in Chinese is番Pān

The character 番 (fān) primarily refers to something foreign or from a different country, often used to denote non-Chinese elements. It can also be a classifier for occurrences, indicating repetitions or types, such as in 'twofold'. In certain contexts, it is associated with the concept of 'taking turns' or 'kinds'.

When to use 番

番 can often be confused with similar sounding characters like 反 (fǎn) which means 'to oppose' or 'reverse'. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, but care should be taken in tone usage, as it is pronounced in the first tone. Common collocations include 番茄 (fānqié - tomato) and 一番 (yī fān - one time).

番 or something close to it

次 (cì) — use 番 (fān) for types or occurrences with a focus on foreign elements, while 次 (cì) generally refers to order or sequence.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 番 with the similar character 反 (fǎn), leading to incorrect usage such as saying '反外国' instead of '番外国' when referring to foreign countries. It's important to remember that 番 specifically indicates foreignness or iterations.

Write 番

番

Practice writing 番 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 番

番 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 13 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.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

经过一____讨论，大家终于达成了共识。

After a thorough discussion, everyone finally reached a consensus.

Example Sentences for 番 (20)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你得把番茄烤到皮变黑为止。

nǐ dé bǎ fān qié kǎo dào pí biàn hēi wéi zhǐ。

You need to grill the tomatoes until the skins blacken.
2
卡斯帕对欧洲农业状况发表了一番颇有见地的见解。

kǎ sī pà duì ōu zhōu nóng yè zhuàng kuàng fā biǎo le yī fān pō yǒu jiàn dì de jiàn jiě。

Kaspar had spoken know-ledgeably about the state of agriculture in Europe.
3
戴维斯先生的这番话值得大家停下来思考一下。

dài wéi sī xiān shēng de zhè fān huà zhí dé dà jiā tíng xià lái sī kǎo yī xià。

It is worth pausing to consider these statements from Mr Davies.
4
这番率直的话让理查德不由自主地大笑起来。

zhè fān shuài zhí de huà ràng lǐ chá dé bù yóu zì zhǔ dì dà xiào qǐ lái。

The blunt comment made Richard laugh in spite of himself.
5
听到这番话，欣兰感到他内心的疑虑顿时消散了。

tīng dào zhè fān huà， ， xīn lán gǎn dào tā nèi xīn de yí lǜ dùn shí xiāo sàn。

When he heard these words, Shinran felt his inner doubts melt away.
6
他因这番尖锐的批评而万念俱灰，茫然不知所措。

tā yīn zhè fān jiān ruì de pī píng ér wàn niàn jù huī， ， máng rán bù zhī suǒ。

He was shattered and bewildered by this trenchant criticism.
7
这番冒犯性的话实际上是一名观众的诘难。

zhè fān mào fàn xìng de huà shí jì shàng shì yī míng guān zhòng de jié nán。

The offending comment was in fact a heckle from an audience member.
8
他说了些谎，有时只是对事实添油加醋了一番。

tā shuō le xiē huǎng， ， yǒu shí zhī shì duì shì shí tiān yóu jiā cù le yī。

He told some lies and sometimes just embroidered the truth.
9
圣诞节一番放纵之后排排毒或许是个不错的主意。

shèng dàn jié yī fān fàng zòng zhī hòu pái pái dú huò xǔ shì gè bù cuò de zhǔ yì。

It might be an idea to detox after the indulgences of Christmas.
10
安妮认为梅维斯是个厚颜无耻的骗子，这显然是经过一番深思熟虑后才得出的看法。

ān nī rèn wéi méi wéi sī shì gè hòu yán wú chǐ de piàn zǐ， ， zhè xiǎn rán shì jīng guò yī fān shēn sī shú lǜ hòu cái dé chū de kàn。

Obviously it was Anne's considered opinion that Mavis was a bold-faced liar.
11
我昨天遇到了一位姓番的老师，他教得非常好。

Wǒ zuótiān yùdào le yī wèi xìng Fān de lǎoshī, tā jiào de fēicháng hǎo.

Yesterday I met a teacher with the surname Pan, and he teaches very well.
12
番先生是我们公司的新总裁，他非常有经验。

Fān xiānshēng shì wǒmen gōngsī de xīn zǒngcái, tā fēicháng yǒu jīngyàn.

Mr. Pan is the new president of our company, and he is very experienced.
13
我朋友的老板姓番，他们公司的产品全球闻名。

Wǒ péngyǒu de lǎobǎn xìng Fān, tāmen gōngsī de chǎnpǐn quánqiú wénmíng.

My friend's boss's surname is Pan, and their company's products are famous worldwide.
14
番教授发表了关于人工智能的最新研究成果。

Fān jiàoshòu fābiǎole guānyú réngōng zhìnéng de zuìxīn yánjiū chéngguǒ.

Professor Pan published the latest research findings on artificial intelligence.
15
小张的合伙人姓番，他们一起创办了一家成功的初创公司。

Xiǎo Zhāng de héhuǒrén xìng Fān, tāmen yīqǐ chuàngbànle yījiā chénggōng de chūchuàng gōngsī.

Xiao Zhang's business partner's surname is Pan, and they co-founded a successful startup.
16
我昨天遇到了一位姓番的老师，他教得非常好。

Wǒ zuótiān yùdào le yī wèi xìng Fān de lǎoshī, tā jiào de fēicháng hǎo.

Yesterday I met a teacher with the surname Pan, and he teaches very well.
17
番先生是我们公司的新总裁，他非常有经验。

Fān xiānshēng shì wǒmen gōngsī de xīn zǒngcái, tā fēicháng yǒu jīngyàn.

Mr. Pan is the new president of our company, and he is very experienced.
18
我朋友的老板姓番，他们公司的产品全球闻名。

Wǒ péngyǒu de lǎobǎn xìng Fān, tāmen gōngsī de chǎnpǐn quánqiú wénmíng.

My friend's boss's surname is Pan, and their company's products are famous worldwide.
19
番教授发表了关于人工智能的最新研究成果。

Fān jiàoshòu fābiǎole guānyú réngōng zhìnéng de zuìxīn yánjiū chéngguǒ.

Professor Pan published the latest research findings on artificial intelligence.
20
小张的合伙人姓番，他们一起创办了一家成功的初创公司。

Xiǎo Zhāng de héhuǒrén xìng Fān, tāmen yīqǐ chuàngbànle yījiā chénggōng de chūchuàng gōngsī.

Xiao Zhang's business partner's surname is Pan, and they co-founded a successful startup.

Word Family of 番

Compounds30
播bo1to sow
翻fan1to turn over
潘Pan1a river that flows into the Han; surname
蕃bo1abundant, flourishing; barbarians, foreigners
蟠pan2to occupy; to coil; curled up, coiled
幡fan1pennant, banner, streamer, flag
審shen3to examine, to investigate; to judge; to try
墦
嶓
橎
燔fan2to roast meat for a sacrifice
璠
皤po2white, grey; corpulent
磻
繙
膰
譒
蹯fan2paw
鄱po2a county and lake in Jiangxi province
鐇
僠
勫
噃
嬏
憣
旙
羳
襎
轓
鱕
Words Containing This Character20
番fānbarbarian
番茄fānqiétomato
番茄酱ketchup番茄醬
轮番in turn輪番
翻番fānfānto double
番禺Panyu county in Guangdong province
番薯yam
吐鲁番Turpan City in Xinjiang (Chinese: Tulufan)吐魯番
番禺区Panyu district of Guangzhou city 廣州市|广州市[Guǎng​zhōu​shì], Guangdong番禺區
番木瓜papaya
三番五次sānfānwǔcìover and over again (idiom)
番号number of military unit番號
番石榴guava (fruit)
几次三番over and over again幾次三番
吐鲁番地区Turpan prefecture in Xinjiang吐魯番地區
西番莲passion flower西番蓮
番泻叶senna leaf (Folium sennae)番瀉葉
吐鲁番市Turpan City in Xinjiang (Chinese: Tulufan)吐魯番市
吐鲁番盆地the Turpan Depression in Xinjiang吐魯番盆地
番邦alien nation
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 播 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 番

In contemporary usage, 番 generally refers to foreign things or people, and is often seen in discussions about international relations or cultural exchanges.

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