Definitions

fàn (verb) to trade in; to deal in

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "贩" derives from its traditional form "販", structured with the component "貝" denoting shell currency or wealth and "反" serving primarily a phonetic function, which together originally signified activities related to buying and selling. Over centuries, its meaning narrowed from general commerce to specifically refer to petty trade or peddling, often implying the resale of goods for profit. The simplified form retains the component "反" while substituting "貝" with its streamlined variant "贝", maintaining the character's core association with mercantile exchange.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他是水果小

Tā shì shuǐguǒ xiǎofàn.

He is a fruit vendor.

子在街头叫卖。

Fànzi zài jiētóu jiàomài.

The peddler is hawking on the street.

卖各种手工制品。

Tā fànmài gèzhǒng shǒugōng zhìpǐn.

She sells various handmade products.

警方逮捕了毒品子。

Jǐngfāng dàibǔle dúpǐn fànzi.

The police arrested drug dealers.

这个团伙专门卖人口。

Zhè ge tuánhuǒ zhuānmén fànmài rénkǒu.

This gang specializes in human trafficking.

他因卖盗版软件被罚款。

Tā yīn fànmài dàobǎn ruǎnjiàn bèi fákuǎn.

He was fined for selling pirated software.

这些商经常在夜市摆摊。

Zhèxiē shāngfàn jīngcháng zài yèshì bǎitān.

These vendors often set up stalls at the night market.

国际刑警组织正在调查跨国卖野生动物案件。

Guójì xíngjǐng zǔzhī zhèngzài diàochá kuàguó fànmài yěshēng dòngwù ànjiàn.

Interpol is investigating cross-border wildlife trafficking cases.