unknown, 18 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15575, Very Hard
藩
fān
screen
unknown, 18 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15575, Very Hard
藩
fān
barrier
unknown, 18 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15575, Very Hard
藩
fān
Taiwan pr. [fan2]
unknown, 18 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15575, Very Hard
藩
fān
vassal state
unknown, 18 strokes, radical 艹, rank #15575, Very Hard
fān(fan1) T1
1boundary, fence, outlying border
2hedge
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March 24, 2026
藩fān(fan1)
The character 藩 (fān) primarily refers to a boundary or fence, often used to denote an outlying area or a protective barrier. It can also imply a political context, such as a vassal state that is subordinate to a more powerful entity. In various contexts, it conveys the notion of separation or protection, both physically and politically.
Strokes18Radical艹Frequency#15575DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, the concept of 藩 was significant in the feudal system, where local lords ruled over vassal states. This structure influenced the political landscape and cultural development of regions like Taiwan, where the character 藩 may also carry local historical significance.
Memory Tip
Think of 藩 (fān) as a 'fan' that keeps things in or out, with the 'fence' formed by the plants (艹) around it symbolizing boundaries. Imagine a colorful fan made of bamboo, representing the idea of separation while also being a decorative barrier.
Meanings of 藩
fān(fan1)
1boundary, fence, outlying border
2hedge
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 藩
藩Simplified
18Strokes
艹Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 藩
Podcast: 藩
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AI Study Notes for 藩
Usage Notes
When using 藩, it is important to note that it is often found in more formal or literary contexts, particularly in discussions about historical states. Common collocations include 藩地 (fān dì, 'outlying area') and 藩国 (fān guó, 'vassal state'). Be careful with pronunciation; it should not be confused with the more common fan (fan2) which may refer to different meanings.
HSK Study Tips
Though 藩 isn't included in the HSK levels, it can be related to level 3-4 vocabulary concerning geography and governance. Students should focus on understanding its usage in historical texts or political discussions, as this will help contextualize its meaning.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 藩 with 边 (biān), incorrectly using it in contexts that strictly require geographical boundaries. For example, saying 藩界 (fān jiè) instead of 边界 (biān jiè) when referring to a border is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 藩
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Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 潘 represents the sound.
1The meaning half艹 carries the sense.
2The sound half潘 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaygrass
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 藩? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
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Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 藩?
Decomposition of 藩
IDS Structure⿱艹潘
藩Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
潘Pan1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 藩?
How to say boundary, fence, outlying border in Chinese
“boundary, fence, outlying border” in Chinese is藩fān
The character 藩 (fān) primarily refers to a boundary or fence, often used to denote an outlying area or a protective barrier. It can also imply a political context, such as a vassal state that is subordinate to a more powerful entity. In various contexts, it conveys the notion of separation or protection, both physically and politically.
When to use 藩
When using 藩, it is important to note that it is often found in more formal or literary contexts, particularly in discussions about historical states. Common collocations include 藩地 (fān dì, 'outlying area') and 藩国 (fān guó, 'vassal state'). Be careful with pronunciation; it should not be confused with the more common fan (fan2) which may refer to different meanings.
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse 藩 with 边 (biān), incorrectly using it in contexts that strictly require geographical boundaries. For example, saying 藩界 (fān jiè) instead of 边界 (biān jiè) when referring to a border is incorrect.
Write 藩
藩
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Practice writing 藩 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Word Family of 藩
Words Containing This Character10
藩fānfence
曾国藩Zeng Guofan (1811-1872), Qing dynasty politician and military man曾國藩
藩镇lit. fence town藩鎮
藩篱hedge藩籬
三藩市San Francisco (California)
藩国feudatory藩國
三藩之乱Three feudatories rebellion against Qing 1673-1681 during the reign of Kangxi三藩之亂
李振藩Li Zhenfan (1940-1973), real name of the actor Bruce Lee 李小龍|李小龙[LǐXiǎolóng]
蔡东藩Cai Dongfan (1877-1945), historian, author of popular general history texts up until his own time蔡東藩
羝羊触藩trapped羝羊觸藩
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 藩 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 藩
While 边界 (biān jiè) refers to a border or boundary in a geographical sense, 藩 (fān) has more historical and political connotations, often relating to vassal states or protective barriers.
No, 藩 is not commonly used in everyday conversation and is more often found in historical or literary contexts.
Yes, it can be used metaphorically to describe barriers in relationships or social interactions, though this usage is less common.
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