泛 (fàn) - to float & to drift

泛Tone 4

fàn ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 氵

恩丰

泛 · fàn

to float;

to drift;

to overflow;

to spread out;

extensive;

general;

widespread

to floatto driftto overflow

Usage highlights

floodextensivegeneral discussionfloat on wateruniversal lovepan

Synonyms

  • 浮— to float
  • 广— wide, extensive
  • 普— universal, general

Antonyms

  • 专— specialized, focused
  • 精— precise, refined
  • 沉— to sink

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The boat floats on the lake (泛舟湖上).
  • This is a general discussion (泛泛而谈).
  • The river overflowed its banks (河水泛滥).
  • He has broad interests (兴趣广泛).

Collocations

  • flood(泛滥)
  • extensive(广泛)
  • general discussion(泛论)
  • float on water(泛水)
  • universal love(泛爱)
  • pan-Asian(泛亚)

Idioms

  • Speaking in generalities(泛泛而谈)
  • Extensive knowledge(博识泛览)
  • Floating duckweed(泛萍浮梗)
  • Widespread and overflowing(泛滥成灾)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted water overflowing or spreading widely, later extended to mean extensive or general.
  • In Buddhism, used in concepts like 'universal compassion' (泛爱众).
  • Often appears in geographical and environmental contexts related to flooding.

FAQ