藩 (fān) - fence & barrier

藩Tone 1

fān ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

恩丰

藩 · fān

fence;

barrier;

vassal state;

feudal domain;

frontier;

border region;

protective screen

fencebarriervassal state

Usage highlights

feudal domainprotective barrier/fencevassal stateprotective screenfeudal lordborder region

Synonyms

  • 屏障— protective screen; barrier
  • 藩篱— fence; barrier; boundary
  • 封地— fief; feudal territory

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The feudal lord governed his domain (藩镇).
  • This plant acts as a natural barrier (藩篱).
  • The region served as a protective screen for the capital (藩屏).
  • They established a vassal state in the border area (藩国).

Collocations

  • feudal domain(藩镇)
  • protective barrier/fence(藩篱)
  • vassal state(藩国)
  • protective screen(藩屏)
  • feudal lord(藩王)
  • border region(藩部)

Idioms

  • Remove the feudal domains to strengthen the central authority(削藩)
  • Break through the barriers and obstacles(破藩篱)
  • The feudal lord's domain(藩镇割据)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically referred to feudal domains granted by emperors to relatives and meritorious officials during dynastic periods.
  • The term reflects China's historical feudal system where regional powers maintained semi-autonomy while acknowledging central authority.
  • During the Tang Dynasty, '藩镇' (fanzhen) became powerful military governors who often challenged central government control.
  • Metaphorically used to describe any protective barrier or boundary that separates or defends.

FAQ