Definitions

pán firm; stable; rock

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "磐" is structurally composed of the semantic element "石" meaning stone and the phonetic component "般", which together originally denoted a large, flat rock or bedrock. Its etymology reflects a direct association with physical stone, used in early contexts to describe foundational stones or stable surfaces. Over time, the meaning of "磐" extended from this concrete reference to abstract concepts of steadfastness and immovability, often appearing in literary and philosophical texts to symbolize enduring strength or unyielding foundation. While its core association with stone has persisted, the character's usage evolved to encompass metaphorical dimensions, maintaining its structural integrity and phonetic cues throughout its historical development.

Etymology Hide

Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这块石非常坚固。

Zhè kuài pánshí fēicháng jiāngù.

This large rock is very solid.

山洞里有一块巨大的石。

Shāndòng lǐ yǒu yī kuài jùdà de pánshí.

There is a huge monolith in the cave.

他们的友谊像石一样牢固。

Tāmen de yǒuyì xiàng pánshí yīyàng láogù.

Their friendship is as solid as a rock.

这座桥建立在坚固的石之上。

Zhè zuò qiáo jiànlì zài jiāngù de pánshí zhī shàng.

This bridge is built on solid bedrock.

工人们正在移开那块沉重的石。

Gōngrénmen zhèngzài yíkāi nà kuài chénzhòng de pánshí.

The workers are moving away that heavy monolith.

由于石过于巨大,我们无法搬运它。

Yóuyú pánshí guòyú jùdà, wǒmen wúfǎ bānyùn tā.

Because the monolith is too huge, we cannot transport it.

地质学家研究了这块石的成分。

Dìzhì xuéjiā yánjiūle zhè kuài pánshí de chéngfèn.

Geologists studied the composition of this bedrock.

在经济的动荡中,这家公司始终坚如石。

Zài jīngjì de dòngdàng zhōng, zhè jiā gōngsī shǐzhōng jiān rú pánshí.

Amid economic turbulence, this company remains as solid as a rock.