What is the difference between 拚 and 拼?

拚 (pàn) means 'to sacrifice, to risk all', while 拼 (pīn) means 'to piece together, to spell, to fight'. In modern usage, 拼 is more common and often replaces 拚 in words like 拼命.

Is 拚 commonly used in modern Chinese?

拚 is less common in mainland China, where 拼 is preferred. However, 拚 is still used in some dialects and literary contexts, particularly in Taiwan.

Can 拚 be used in names?

Rarely used in names due to its connotations of sacrifice and risk. If used, it might convey determination or willingness to strive against odds.

拚Tone 4

pàn ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 扌

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拚 · pàn

To disregard;

to sacrifice;

to risk;

to stake all;

to give up recklessly.

To disregardto sacrificeto risk

Usage highlights

To risk one's lifeTo fight desperatelyTo disregard deathTo abandon recklesslyTo stake all in a fightTo struggle desperately

Synonyms

拼— to piece together; to spell; to fight
搏— to fight; to combat; to wrestle
捨— to give up; to abandon

Antonyms

保— to preserve; to protect
守— to guard; to defend
惜— to cherish; to treasure

Usage & contexts

Examples

He was willing to sacrifice everything (拚命) for his ideals.
They risked their lives (拚死) to save the child.
In gambling, he would stake all (拚搏) on one hand.
She disregarded the consequences (拚棄) and went ahead.

Collocations

To risk one's life(拚命)
To fight desperately(拚搏)
To disregard death(拚死)
To abandon recklessly(拚棄)
To stake all in a fight(拚鬥)
To struggle desperately(拚掙)

Idioms

To fight with all one's might(拚死拚活)
To struggle desperately(拚死掙扎)
To risk everything in a final attempt(孤注一拚)

Cultural background

FAQ

Originally meant 'to discard, to throw away', later extended to mean 'to sacrifice, to risk'.
Often used in contexts of desperate struggle or total commitment, reflecting a 'do-or-die' attitude.
In modern usage, frequently appears in 拚命 (pīnmìng) meaning 'to risk one's life; desperately'.

拚 (pàn) - To disregard & to sacrifice