绊

絆

bàn

半 + 纟

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

bàn (verb) to trip; to stumble

bàn (verb) to hinder; to impede

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 半 represents the sound. Simplified form of 絆.

Semantic: 纟 Phonetic: 半

About

绊 is a phono-semantic compound and the simplified form of 絆. The left-side radical 纟, simplified from 糸 (silk thread), indicates the idea of binding or tying, while the right-side component 半 (bàn, "half") provides the pronunciation. The character originally denoted ropes or tethers used to hobble livestock and restrict their movement. Its primary meaning is the physical action of tripping, stumbling, or becoming entangled. From this literal usage, the meaning expanded to include metaphorical entanglements, describing emotional attachments, hindrances, or obstacles that impede a person's progress or restrict freedom of action.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他不小心绊倒了。

Tā bù xiǎo xīn bàn dǎo le.

He accidentally tripped.

我被绳子绊了一下。

Wǒ bèi shéng zi bàn le yī xià.

I was tripped by the rope.

困难不能绊住我们。

Kùn nán bù néng bàn zhù wǒ men.

Difficulties cannot hinder us.

他在楼梯上绊了一跤。

Tā zài lóu tī shàng bàn le yī jiāo.

He tripped on the stairs.

骄傲是成功的绊脚石。

Jiāo ào shì chéng gōng de bàn jiǎo shí.

Arrogance is a stumbling block to success.

由于地面不平，他差点被绊倒。

Yóu yú dì miàn bù píng, tā chà diǎn bèi bàn dǎo.

Due to the uneven ground, he almost tripped.

他们之间有深厚的羁绊。

Tā men zhī jiān yǒu shēn hòu de jī bàn.

There is a deep bond between them.

尽管前路有很多绊脚石，但我们不会轻易被绊倒。

Jǐn guǎn qián lù yǒu hěn duō bàn jiǎo shí, dàn wǒ men bù huì qīng yì bèi bàn dǎo.

Although there are many stumbling blocks on the road ahead, we will not easily be tripped.

Related Characters

Component: 半

Component: 纟

绊