番

• Pinyin: fān
• Hanzi breakdown: 番 = 釆 (differentiate) + 田 (field) — originally marking different plots, extended to counting instances

Meaning

Measure word for actions, attempts, or sets of things; time(s). Used to count occurrences of actions or rounds of effort.

Functions as a measure word for efforts, attempts, or turns of action: 一番努力 (a round of effort), 一番话 (a speech/lecture), 大费一番周折 (go through a lot of trouble). Also appears in 番茄 (tomato, from foreign origin). Can double things: 翻一番 (double).

Examples

1. 经过一番深思熟虑，他终于做出了决定。 After careful deliberation, he finally made a decision.
2. 老师这番话让我受益匪浅，改变了我的想法。 The teacher's words benefited me greatly and changed my thinking.
3. 他费了好一番功夫才找到那本绝版书。 He went through quite a lot of trouble to find that out-of-print book.

Usage Guide

Context: effort, speech, attempts

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 他这番解释让大家都明白了。(His explanation made everyone understand.)
• 不经历一番风雨，怎么见彩虹？(Without going through storms, how can you see a rainbow?)

Don't Say

• 用番来数具体物品 (Don't use 番 to count concrete objects — it's for actions, efforts, or rounds; use appropriate measure words like 个, 件 instead)

Origin & History

Originally meant 'take turns' or 'foreign' (as in 番邦). As a measure word, it emphasizes a complete round or instance of action.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal