Meanings of 奔
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About 奔
Podcast: 奔
Podcast: 奔
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AI Study Notes for 奔
奔 (bēn) vs 跑 (pǎo) — use 奔 for a sense of urgency or rushing, while 跑 is more general for running.
Learners often confuse 奔 (bēn) with its variant 奔 (bèn), which has different meanings. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but make sure to pair it correctly with verbs like '去' (qù - to go) when expressing direction, such as ‘奔去’ (bēn qù - rush to go). Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it as 'bèn' changes the meaning entirely.
Although 奔 is not listed in the HSK vocabulary, it can be related to other verbs indicating movement at various levels. Focus on building vocabulary around actions and directions, as this will help reinforce the meaning and usage of 奔 in practical contexts.
Learners may mistakenly use 奔 in contexts where another verb would be more appropriate, such as saying '我奔去商店' (Wǒ bēn qù shāngdiàn) instead of '我去商店' (Wǒ qù shāngdiàn). Ensure that you are using it in contexts that emphasize speed and urgency.
Pronunciation of 奔
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Etymology of 奔
A man 大 running through a field of grass 卉
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 奔
- 1The giveawayA man 大 running through a field of grass 卉
- 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 奔? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 奔?
Decomposition of 奔
Identify the Components
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How to say to hurry in Chinese
“to hurry” in Chinese is奔
The character 奔 (bēn) primarily means to hurry or rush, often implying a sense of urgency or quick movement. It can also refer to running quickly or eloping, which adds a nuanced meaning related to both speed and spontaneity. Commonly used in everyday contexts, it depicts both physical movement and metaphorical urgency in life decisions.
When to use 奔
Learners often confuse 奔 (bēn) with its variant 奔 (bèn), which has different meanings. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but make sure to pair it correctly with verbs like '去' (qù - to go) when expressing direction, such as ‘奔去’ (bēn qù - rush to go). Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it as 'bèn' changes the meaning entirely.
奔 or something close to it
奔 (bēn) vs 跑 (pǎo) — use 奔 for a sense of urgency or rushing, while 跑 is more general for running.
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly use 奔 in contexts where another verb would be more appropriate, such as saying '我奔去商店' (Wǒ bēn qù shāngdiàn) instead of '我去商店' (Wǒ qù shāngdiàn). Ensure that you are using it in contexts that emphasize speed and urgency.
Write 奔
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Practice writing 奔 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 奔
奔 carries 9 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
为了买到一张火车票，我东____西跑，累得一身汗。
To get a train ticket, I ran around everywhere and was exhausted and sweaty.
Common Confusions with 奔
Both involve running but '奔' emphasizes speed or urgency.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to hurry"?
Usage Notes for 奔
Learners sometimes confuse '奔' with '跑', using them interchangeably.
他在公园里奔。
He is hurrying in the park.
他在公园里跑。
He is running in the park.
Fill in the Blank
他在公园里____。
He is hurrying in the park.
Example Sentences for 奔 (10)
Word Family of 奔
Compound Meaning
What does 锛 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 奔
No, 奔 can also refer to urgency in actions or decisions, not just physical movement.
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