班 (bān) - Class, squad, team & shift or duty

班Tone 1

bān ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

班 · bān

Class, squad, team;

shift or duty;

to distribute;

to arrange;

a measure word for groups of people.

Class, squad, teamshift or dutyto distribute

Usage highlights

ClassSquadShift workTeam leaderGo to workGet off work

Synonyms

  • 级— grade, level (educational)
  • 组— group, team
  • 队— team, squad

Antonyms

  • 散— scatter, disperse
  • 乱— chaotic, disorderly

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I am in Class 3 (三班).
  • He works the night shift (夜班).
  • The teacher assigned homework (布置作业).
  • We will distribute the books tomorrow (明天发书).

Collocations

  • Class(班级)
  • Squad(班组)
  • Shift work(班次)
  • Team leader(班长)
  • Go to work(上班)
  • Get off work(下班)

Idioms

  • In perfect order(按部就班)
  • Classmates and fellow apprentices(同班同学)
  • Return in triumph(班师回朝)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted two jade pieces separated by a knife, representing distribution or division.
  • In modern usage, strongly associated with educational classes and work shifts.
  • Used as a surname with historical figures like Ban Gu and Ban Zhao of the Han dynasty.

FAQ