Definitions

biàn (adverb) everywhere; all over
biàn (classifier) time (for an action)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phonosemantic compound: the radical (movement, journey) contributes the meaning and wraps around the left and bottom, while on the right gives the sound. This structure points to the core meaning of 'everywhere' or 'throughout,' with the sense of covering an area completely. Over time, the character also came to be used as a verbal measure word, marking that an action is performed thoroughly, from beginning to end.

Example Sentences Hide

我找了房间。

Wǒ zhǎobiàn le fángjiān.

I searched all over the room.

这本书我读了一

Zhè běn shū wǒ dúle yī biàn.

I read this book once.

他走了全世界。

Tā zǒubiàn le quán shìjiè.

He traveled all over the world.

地都是落叶。

Biàndì dōu shì luòyè.

Fallen leaves are everywhere on the ground.

这个消息传了学校。

Zhège xiāoxi chuánbiàn le xuéxiào.

This news spread throughout the school.

认为这是正确的。

Pǔbiàn rènwéi zhè shì zhèngquè de.

It is universally believed to be correct.

他一又一地检查作业。

Tā yī biàn yòu yī biàn de jiǎnchá zuòyè.

He checked his homework over and over again.

为了寻真相,他调查了所有相关人士。

Wèile biàn xún zhēnxiàng, tā diàochá le suǒyǒu xiāngguān rénshì.

In order to search everywhere for the truth, he investigated all relevant personnel.