Chinese word

攀

Pronunciation

Pinyinpān

Meaning

  • verbclimb

Example

他慢慢攀到山顶。tā màn màn pān dào shān dǐng

He slowly climbed to the mountaintop.

Illustration for 攀 (climb)

More examples

他小心地攀上了屋顶。tā xiǎo xīn dì pān shàng le wū dǐng

He carefully climbed onto the roof.

Core concept

Move upward in small, effortful stages while holding onto what supports the body; figuratively, work or connections can provide the support for rising.

Common phrases

  • 攀上pān shàng

    climb up

  • 攀住pān zhù

    cling to

Similar words

爬pá: Clambering up a wall or slope using all four limbs.
登dēng: Ascending a high place or mountain in formal or written language.
攀登pān dēng: Climbing up rocks or cliffs by gripping them with hands and feet.

Definition in Chinese

用手抓住物体或借助支撑一步步向上攀爬，主要指身体上用力上升，也可比喻通过努力或关系取得更高位置。yòng shǒu zhuā zhù wù tǐ huò jiè zhù zhī chēng yí bù bù xiàng shàng pān pá zhǔ yào zhǐ shēn tǐ shàng yòng lì shàng shēng yě kě bǐ yù tōng guò nǔ lì huò guān xì qǔ dé gèng gāo wèi zhì

Word origin

The older sense of 攀 (pān, "climb") centers on pulling or holding onto something, which led to its physical climbing sense and then to figurative upward advancement.

Usage tips

  • English uses "climb" broadly for getting into places or onto objects, whereas this Chinese verb highlights a strenuous upward movement with a hold or support, so context matters in translation.

Other meanings

  • clamberverb
  • cling toverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 攀缘pān yuánclimb by clingingverb

Word lists with this word