遍 (biàn) — (classifier) for the number of times an action is performed fully from start to finish; 'time(s)'
Definition
遍 is a measure word for how many full times an action is done from start to finish (一遍 = 'one full time'). Unlike 到处 ('everywhere'), it doesn't refer to places — it counts complete passes through an activity.
classifier
for the number of times an action is performed fully from start to finish'time(s)'
Easily confused
- 编biānlook-aliketo weave, to plait (e.g., hair, baskets)
- 变biànsound-aliketo change (intransitive)
- 篇piānlook-alike(classifier) for written items such as articles, essays, chapters, diary entries
- 便biànsound-alikethen; in that case (indicating a natural consequence or immediate response)
- 辩biànsound-aliketo debate, to argue, to dispute
Examples
- 遍。Qǐng zài shuō yí biàn.Please say it one more time (from start to finish).
- 遍。Wǒ kàn le yí biàn zhè běn shū.I read this book once (cover to cover).
- 遍。Tā chàng le liǎng biàn.She sang it twice (each time all the way through).
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.
Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuòwalk; movement
遍 combines 辶, a mark for walking or movement, with 扁, which gives the sound biǎn.
Grammar
Appears in
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