斑点

• Pinyin: bān diǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 斑 = 文 (pattern) + 王 × 2; 点 = dot/point

Meaning

Spot; speckle; mark; blemish.

Refers to small colored marks or spots on a surface, whether natural (like on animal fur or leaves) or unwanted (like stains or skin blemishes). Can be neutral or negative depending on context.

Examples

1. 豹子身上的斑点是它最显著的特征。 The spots on a leopard are its most distinctive feature.
2. 这块布料上有几个洗不掉的斑点。 This fabric has a few spots that won't wash out.
3. 老年斑其实就是皮肤上的色素斑点。 Age spots are actually pigmented spots on the skin.

Usage Guide

Context: descriptive, biological

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 蘑菇上有褐色斑点。(The mushroom has brown spots.)
• 这种狗身上的斑点很漂亮。(The spots on this breed of dog are beautiful.)

Don't Say

• 把大块污渍叫'斑点' (Don't call large stains 斑点 — the term implies small, discrete marks)

Origin & History

斑 (spotted/striped) + 点 (dot/point). Spotted marks.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal