畔

pàn

半 + 田

HSK 2.0Level 6

Definitions

pàn (noun) edge; side; boundary

pàn (noun) bank; shore

Etymology

A farm 田 divided in half 半; 半 also provides the pronunciation

About

畔 (pàn) is a phono-semantic compound. Its left component, 田 (tián, field), establishes the core meaning: a boundary or raised path between agricultural plots. The right component, 半 (bàn, half), provides the pronunciation while subtly reinforcing the idea of division. Originally referring specifically to the ridges dividing paddies, its meaning broadened over time to encompass the edge or bank of a river, lake, or road, any distinct geographical boundary.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

在小河畔散步很舒服。

Zài xiǎohé pàn sànbù hěn shūfu.

Taking a walk by the small river is very comfortable.

我们常在湖畔看日落。

Wǒmen cháng zài hú pàn kàn rìluò.

We often watch the sunset by the lakeside.

他的房子坐落在田畔。

Tā de fángzi zuòluò zài tián pàn.

His house is situated by the edge of the fields.

河畔公园里开满了鲜花。

Hépàn gōngyuán lǐ kāimǎnle xiānhuā.

The riverside park is full of blooming flowers.

他独自走在寂静的江畔。

Tā dúzì zǒu zài jìjìng de jiāng pàn.

He walked alone along the quiet riverbank.

耳畔响起母亲温柔的话语。

Ěr pàn xiǎngqǐ mǔqīn wēnróu de huàyǔ.

The gentle words of his mother sounded in his ear.

这片古战场位于两国之畔。

Zhè piàn gǔ zhànchǎng wèiyú liǎng guó zhī pàn.

This ancient battlefield is located on the border of two countries.

理想与现实的冲突常在我脑畔回响。

Lǐxiǎng yǔ xiànshí de chōngtū cháng zài wǒ nǎo pàn huíxiǎng.

The conflict between ideal and reality often echoes in my mind.

Related Characters

Component: 半

Component: 田

畔