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砍伐 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
砍伐kǎnfáto hewHSK 7, v, rank #34111, Hard
砍伐kǎnfáto cut downHSK 7, v, rank #34111, Hard
kǎnfá(kan3fa2) T3
  1. 1to hew
  2. 2to cut down
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March 24, 2026
砍伐kǎnfá(kan3fa2)

The term 砍伐 (kǎn fá) refers to the act of cutting down trees or hewing wood. It is commonly used in contexts related to logging, forestry, and land clearing, often carrying environmental implications. This word emphasizes both the physical action of cutting and the process of removing vegetation.

Frequency#34111DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

砍伐 is relevant in discussions about China's rapid industrialization and the balance between development and environmental conservation. The phrase often appears in policies addressing deforestation and sustainable practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a lumberjack with an axe, 'kan' sounds like 'can' and you 'can' cut down trees. The character 砍 (kǎn) features the radical for 'stone' (石), hinting at the tools used, while 伐 (fá) looks like a person (亻) involved in the action, making it easier to visualize someone cutting down trees.

Meanings of 砍伐

kǎnfá(kan3fa2)
1to hew
2to cut down
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 砍伐

砍伐Simplified
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#34111Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 砍伐

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Podcast: 砍伐

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AI Study Notes for 砍伐

Quick Contrast

伐木 (fá mù) - specifically refers to cutting down trees, while 砍伐 (kǎn fá) emphasizes the act of cutting as well as the broader process of removal.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a lumberjack with an axe, 'kan' sounds like 'can' and you 'can' cut down trees. The character 砍 (kǎn) features the radical for 'stone' (石), hinting at the tools used, while 伐 (fá) looks like a person (亻) involved in the action, making it easier to visualize someone cutting down trees.

Usage Notes

A common mistake is to confuse 砍伐 with just 砍 (to cut), which doesn't imply the removal aspect. This term is more formal and is often found in environmental discussions, policy, and discussions about deforestation. Be careful with tones; 砍 (kǎn) is third tone and 伐 (fá) is second tone.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 砍伐 connects with other terms related to nature and the environment. Students should focus on collocations like 砍伐森林 (kǎn fá sēn lín - to cut down forests) and understand its implications in environmental discussions.

Cultural Note

砍伐 is relevant in discussions about China's rapid industrialization and the balance between development and environmental conservation. The phrase often appears in policies addressing deforestation and sustainable practices.

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 砍伐 incorrectly in informal situations where a simpler term like 砍 would suffice. For example, saying '我去砍伐树' (Wǒ qù kǎn fá shù - I'm going to cut down trees) in a casual setting may sound too formal; a simpler '我去砍树' would be more appropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 砍伐

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Component Characters

kǎnto chop
HSK 69 strokes
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to cut down
6 strokes
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Write 砍伐

Practice writing 砍伐 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 砍伐

砍伐 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 2 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 2

Complete the Sentence

我们必须在矮树林中____出一条路来.

We had to chop a way through the undergrowth.

Example Sentences for 砍伐 (2)

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1
我们必须在矮树林中砍伐出一条路来.

wǒ mén bì xū zài ǎi shù lín zhōng kǎn fá chū yī tiáo lù lái.

We had to chop a way through the undergrowth.
2
那一丛秃头的柳树,因不断遭受砍伐都失去了天然的形状.

nà yī cóng tū tóu de liǔ shù, , yīn bù duàn zāo shòu kǎn fá dū shī qù le tiān rán de xíng.

The pollard willows were tortured out of their natural shape by incessant choppings.

Cultural Notes for 砍伐

🏮Cultural insight

砍伐 is relevant in discussions about China's rapid industrialization and the balance between development and environmental conservation. The phrase often appears in policies addressing deforestation and sustainable practices.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, logging is often viewed through a lens of sustainability and environmental protection, whereas in some contexts in China, economic growth may take precedence over these concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions about 砍伐

砍 (kǎn) means to cut, while 砍伐 (kǎn fá) specifically means to cut down trees, emphasizing the act of removal.