Definitions
(adjective)
foreign; non-Chinese
(noun)
time; instance; occurrence
(numeral)
-fold; times (as in twofold)
(noun)
kind; sort
About
The character 番 is structured with 釆, denoting distinction or animal tracks, above 田, meaning field, a composition that suggests an early link to cultivated land or cyclical patterns. Its original meaning centered on alternations or turns, used to quantify occurrences or sequences in actions. Historically, the term was extended to refer to foreign tribes, possibly originating from the notion of alternating frontier regions, which imbued it with a sense of 'foreign' or 'barbarian'. This usage later informed compounds designating imported objects, such as 番茄 for tomato. While retaining its fundamental sense as a counter for events, the character also conveys foreign provenance in specific lexical formations.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
妈妈买了番茄。
番薯是一种健康食物。
他有一番自己的道理。
他们轮番上场表演。
请记住你的部队番号。
这本小说有番外篇。
信封上要写明番地。
古代中国称外国为番邦。