瓣 (bàn) — petal; segment (of citrus fruit, etc.); clove (of garlic)
Definition
A measure-like noun for a thin slice or segment of something: flower petals, citrus segments, garlic cloves. It pairs with the classifier 片 and is not used for thick chunks.
noun
petalsegment (of citrus fruit, etc.)clove (of garlic)
Measure word · 片
Easily confused
- 辫biànlook-alikeplait; braid; pigtail
- 半bànsound-alikehalf; (used before a measure word or number) half of; (after a number) and a half
- 辨biànlook-aliketo differentiate, to distinguish, to discriminate (between/among)
- 办bànsound-aliketo handle, to manage, to deal with (affairs)
- 辩biànlook-aliketo debate, to argue, to dispute
- 伴bànsound-alikecompanion, partner, associate
Examples
- 。Zhè duǒ huā de huā bàn shì fěn hóng sè de.The petals of this flower are pink.
- 瓣。Zhè ge jú zi de jú bàn hěn tián.The segments of this tangerine are very sweet.
- 瓣。Zhè tóu dà suàn de suàn bàn hěn dà.The cloves of this garlic are big.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
Sound part声符shēngfú
辡
辡biàn瓣bàn(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
In 瓣, 瓜 is a melon and 辡 gives the sound; the note describes it as melon seeds.
Appears in
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