HSK 7, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #14091, Hard
扳
bān
to turn around (a situation)
HSK 7, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #14091, Hard
扳
bān
to recoup
HSK 7, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #14091, Hard
扳
pān
to drag, to pull; to twist
HSK 7, v, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #14091, Hard
扳
pān
to turn (sth) around
HSK 7, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #14091, Hard
扳
pān
to turn around (a situation)
HSK 7, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #14091, Hard
扳
pān
to recoup
HSK 7, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 扌, rank #14091, Hard
bān(ban1)
primary
T1
1to drag, to pull; to twist
2to turn (sth) around
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March 24, 2026
扳bān(ban1)
The character 扳 (bān) primarily means 'to pull' or 'to drag', often implying a forceful action. It can also refer to twisting or turning an object, making it relevant in contexts involving physical manipulation or adjusting situations. In conversational Chinese, it can denote taking control or changing the course of events.
Strokes7Radical扌Frequency#14091DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'pulling' or 'twisting' can symbolize a shift in fate or control over a situation, often depicted in stories where characters actively change their circumstances through decisive action.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong person (扳) pulling a heavy object towards themselves. The character looks like a person using their hands (扳's components suggest this) to twist or drag something, helping you remember both the action and sound of 'bān'.
Meanings of 扳
bān(ban1)
primary
1to drag, to pull; to twist
2to turn (sth) around
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 扳
扳Simplified
7Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 扳
Podcast: 扳
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AI Study Notes for 扳
Quick Contrast
扭 (niǔ) vs. 拧 (nǐng) — choose 扳 for a more forceful pulling action, while 扭 emphasizes twisting.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a strong person (扳) pulling a heavy object towards themselves. The character looks like a person using their hands (扳's components suggest this) to twist or drag something, helping you remember both the action and sound of 'bān'.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 扳 with similar verbs like 拉 (lā, to pull) or 攀 (pān, to climb), which can lead to incorrect nuance in usage. It's typically used in informal contexts, but can also apply in situations that require a more dynamic action. Be mindful of the tones when using this word.
HSK Study Tips
Although 扳 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to other action verbs at the same level. Students should focus on the various applications of the verb in different contexts, especially physical actions, to enhance their understanding of related vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'pulling' or 'twisting' can symbolize a shift in fate or control over a situation, often depicted in stories where characters actively change their circumstances through decisive action.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 扳 with 拉 (lā), leading to incorrect phrases like 扳门 (bān mén, 'pull door') instead of 拉门 (lā mén). Remember, 扳 emphasizes a twisting or forceful action, while 拉 is more about straightforward pulling.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 扳
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Grammar Patterns of 扳
扳 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他____下电闸,所有的灯一下子全亮了.
Hepressed the switch and all the lights flashed on together.
Example Sentences for 扳 (8)
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1
他扳下电闸,所有的灯一下子全亮了.
tā bān xià diàn zhá, , suǒ yǒu de dēng yī xià zǐ quán liàng.
Hepressed the switch and all the lights flashed on together.
2
中场还没到，比分就被克雷格·麦克勒格扳平了。
zhōng cháng huán méi dào， ， bǐ fēn jiù bèi kè léi· gé · mài kè lè gé bān。
The goal was cancelled out just before half-time by Craig McLurg.
Once I had a strike: the line hardened suddenly and jerked back.
7
他的食指扣住扳机,然后又松开了.
tā de shí zhǐ kòu zhù bān jī, , rán hòu yòu sōng kāi.
His index finger tightened on the trigger but then relaxed again.
8
把你的扳手拿来, 把螺帽拧紧.
bǎ nǐ de bān shǒu ná lái, , bǎ luó mào níng.
Take your spanner, and tighten the nut.
Cultural Notes for 扳
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'pulling' or 'twisting' can symbolize a shift in fate or control over a situation, often depicted in stories where characters actively change their circumstances through decisive action.
Word Family of 扳
Words Containing This Character10
扳bānto pull
扳机(gun) trigger扳機
扳回to pull back
扳手spanner
扳动to pull out扳動
扳子spanner
扳平to equalize
扳道railroad switch
扳道员pointsman扳道員
呆扳手open spanner
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 扳 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 扳
Common related verbs include 拉 (lā, to pull) and 拔 (bá, to pull out), which can describe similar actions but in different contexts.
Yes, 扳 can also be used metaphorically to describe turning a situation around or regaining control.
