HSK 7, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 巾, rank #10907, Hard
fān(fan1) T1
1to gallop
2Taiwan pr. [fán]
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March 24, 2026
帆(㠶)fān(fan1)
The character 帆 (fān) primarily refers to a sail, which is a piece of fabric used to catch the wind and propel a boat forward. It is commonly used in maritime contexts and can also imply the act of sailing. In broader usage, it can denote speed or galloping, particularly in relation to horses or vehicles.
Strokes6Radical巾Frequency#10907DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sailing has historical significance, especially in relation to trade and exploration during ancient dynasties. The character 帆 symbolizes not only the act of sailing but also the spirit of adventure and journeying across waters.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large sail (帆) catching the wind on a boat, propelling it forward like a galloping horse. The character looks like a sail raised high; the top part represents the sail itself, while the bottom forms the base of the boat. This imagery helps connect 'fān' with the meaning of sailing.
Meanings of 帆
fān(fan1)
1to gallop
2Taiwan pr. [fán]
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 帆
帆Simplified
㠶Traditional
6Strokes
巾Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#10907Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 帆
Podcast: 帆
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AI Study Notes for 帆
Quick Contrast
帆 (sail) vs 旗 (flag) — choose 帆 when referring specifically to a sail used for propulsion, while 旗 denotes a flag that is typically used for signaling or decoration.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large sail (帆) catching the wind on a boat, propelling it forward like a galloping horse. The character looks like a sail raised high; the top part represents the sail itself, while the bottom forms the base of the boat. This imagery helps connect 'fān' with the meaning of sailing.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 帆 as it is pronounced 'fān' with a high-level tone. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings. In informal settings, it can be used metaphorically, such as in the phrase 'sailing through life'.
HSK Study Tips
While 帆 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary lists, learners should be aware that it connects to nautical themes prevalent in Chinese culture. Focusing on related vocabulary about sailing and maritime activities can enhance understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sailing has historical significance, especially in relation to trade and exploration during ancient dynasties. The character 帆 symbolizes not only the act of sailing but also the spirit of adventure and journeying across waters.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 帆 with the character 烦 (fán), which means 'annoyed' or 'troubled'. Ensure you practice the correct pronunciation and context to avoid this mix-up.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 帆
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Grammar Patterns of 帆
帆 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 4 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.
Try tennis, badminton or windsurfing. In short, anything challenging.
4
他走到船头看帆是否挂好了.
tā zǒu dào chuán tóu kàn fān shì fǒu guà hǎo le.
He went fore to see whether the sail was properly in place.
5
我想不起我的生活中有任何一帆风顺的事情。
wǒ xiǎng bù qǐ wǒ de shēng huó zhōng yǒu rèn hé yī fān fēng shùn de shì qíng。
I can't think of anything in my life that's going right.
6
帆船停泊在狭窄的水道上。
fān chuán tíng bó zài xiá zhǎi de shuǐ dào shàng。
Sailing boats lay at anchor in the narrow waterway.
7
他上岸去了，留下我修理被撕破的船帆。
tā shàng àn qù le， ， liú xià wǒ xiū lǐ bèi sī pò de chuán。
He went ashore leaving me to start repairing the torn sail.
8
有人在湖上游泳和扬帆。
yǒu rén zài hú shàng yóu yǒng hé yáng fān。
There was swimming and sailing down on the lake.
9
儿时他最大的爱好是帆船运动、游泳和骑自行车。
ér shí tā zuì dà de ài hǎo shì fān chuán yùn dòng、 、 yóu yǒng hé qí zì háng。
His favourite childhood pursuits were sailing, swimming and cycling.
10
一驶出内防波堤，我们就扬起了所有的船帆。
yī shǐ chū nèi fáng bō dī， ， wǒ mén jiù yáng qǐ le suǒ yǒu de chuán。
Once outside the inner breakwater, we began to unfurl all the sails.
Cultural Notes for 帆
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, sailing has historical significance, especially in relation to trade and exploration during ancient dynasties. The character 帆 symbolizes not only the act of sailing but also the spirit of adventure and journeying across waters.
Word Family of 帆
Words Containing This Character13
帆fānto gallop颿
帆船fānchuánsailboat
一帆风顺yìfānfēngshùnplain sailing一帆風順
帆布canvas
扬帆to set sail揚帆
帆板sailboard
风帆sail風帆
船帆sail
征帆expedition ship
船帆座Vela (constellation)
张春帆Zhang Chunfan (-1935), late Qing novelist, author of The Nine-tailed Turtle 九尾龜|九尾龟張春帆
满帆under full sail滿帆
见风使帆to be flexible and take advantage of the situation見風使帆
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 帆 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 帆
You can say '这艘船的帆很大' which means 'The sail of this boat is very large.'
Yes, it can be part of phrases related to sailing, such as '扬帆起航' meaning 'set sail'.
While 帆 specifically refers to a sail, other characters might refer to different types of boats or forms of sailing.
