汎 (fàn) - to float & to drift

汎Tone 4

fàn ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 氵

恩丰

汎 · fàn

to float;

to drift;

widespread;

general;

universal

to floatto driftwidespread

Usage highlights

to float in a boatgeneral discussionwidespread readinguniversal lovefloodingfloating on water

Synonyms

  • 泛— to float; widespread (more common variant)
  • 浮— to float
  • 漂— to drift
  • 遍— widespread

Antonyms

  • 沉— to sink
  • 专— specialized
  • 限— limited

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The boat floats on the water (汎舟).
  • This is a general discussion (汎论).
  • He has wide-ranging knowledge (汎览群书).
  • The flood waters spread everywhere (洪水汎滥).

Collocations

  • to float in a boat(汎舟)
  • general discussion(汎论)
  • widespread reading(汎览)
  • universal love(汎爱)
  • flooding(汎滥)
  • floating on water(汎水)

Idioms

  • Extensive reading and broad knowledge(博覧汎観)
  • Universal love without discrimination(汎愛衆)
  • Flooding and overflowing(汎濫成災)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted water spreading or floating, later extended to mean 'widespread' or 'universal'.
  • Used in classical texts to describe broad knowledge or comprehensive understanding.
  • In modern usage, often appears in literary or formal contexts rather than everyday speech.

FAQ