饭 stroke order 饭 chinese writing meaning 饭 chinese character tattoos

I. The Core Meaning of the Character "饭" (fàn)

The character "饭" (fàn) is a fundamental and essential character in Chinese. Its primary and most direct meaning is "cooked rice" or, more broadly, "meal."

1. Literal & Everyday Meanings:

  • Cooked Rice: This is the core meaning.

    • 米饭 (mǐfàn) - Cooked rice.

  • A Meal: Refers to any regular meal of the day.

    • 吃饭 (chī fàn) - To eat a meal.

    • 早饭 (zǎofàn) - Breakfast.

    • 晚饭 (wǎnfàn) - Dinner.

2. Cultural & Symbolic Meanings:
The significance of "饭" goes far beyond mere sustenance in Chinese culture. It is deeply woven into the social fabric.

  • The Foundation of Life: As the staple food, "饭" represents the most basic necessity of life. It symbolizes survival, sustenance, and the foundation of one's daily existence.

  • Family and Community: The phrase 吃饭 (to eat a meal) is inherently social. Sharing a meal is the central act of family bonding and social interaction. It represents community, connection, and care.

  • Livelihood and Employment: The term 饭碗 (fànwǎn), which literally means "rice bowl," is a powerful metaphor for one's job or livelihood. Having a "secure rice bowl" means having a stable job that provides for your basic needs.

Character Construction:
The character is composed of two parts:

  • 饣(食 - shí): The "food" radical on the left. This immediately categorizes the character as something related to eating or food.

  • 反 (fǎn): The component on the right, which primarily provides the phonetic sound ("fan").


II. "饭" as a Tattoo: Meanings and Considerations

A tattoo of "饭" is an unconventional but potentially deeply personal choice. Its power lies in its simplicity and its connection to the most fundamental aspects of human life.

Potential Intended Meanings:

  1. A Celebration of Food and Nourishment: For a chef, food enthusiast, or someone for whom cooking and eating are a central passion, this tattoo is a direct and honest symbol of that love. It represents a celebration of culinary arts and the joy of nourishment.

  2. A Tribute to Family and Home: As the centerpiece of family meals, "饭" can be a powerful, nostalgic symbol of home, family gatherings, and the love associated with a home-cooked meal. It can honor a parent or grandparent who showed their love through food.

  3. A Reminder of Gratitude and Simplicity: The tattoo can serve as a permanent memento to be grateful for life's basic necessities—to never take having food on the table for granted. It symbolizes a philosophy of appreciating simplicity and the foundations of a good life.

  4. A Symbol of Sustenance and Resilience: It can represent one's ability to provide for themselves or their family—a symbol of survival, hard work, and securing one's 饭碗 (rice bowl/livelihood).

⚠️ Important Considerations & Potential Drawbacks

"饭" is a very literal character, which presents specific challenges as a tattoo.

  1. Overwhelmingly Literal and Mundane: The primary meaning is "cooked rice" or "meal." For many native speakers, a standalone "饭" can be perceived as strange, humorous, or overly simplistic. The question "Why would you tattoo 'rice' on yourself?" will be common.

  2. Lack of Inherent Profundity: Unlike characters like "本" (root) or "道" (the way), "饭" does not automatically evoke a deep philosophical concept. Its profound meaning is cultural and must be supplied entirely by the wearer's personal story.

  3. Potential for Misinterpretation: Without a strong personal narrative, the tattoo can be seen as random or lacking in aesthetic thoughtfulness. It may not be perceived as "cool" or "artistic" in the way other characters are.

Conclusion and Recommendation

The character "饭" is a niche, personal, and high-context tattoo. It is not recommended for someone seeking a universally understood symbol of an abstract virtue like strength or love.

It could be a successful tattoo for you if:

  • You have a powerful, personal story that directly relates to food, family, or survival.

  • You work in the culinary world and want a symbol of your craft.

  • You appreciate its raw, fundamental nature and are not seeking a traditionally "poetic" character.

For a clearer expression of similar ideas, consider these alternatives:

  • For "nourishment" or "cultivation," use: 养 (yǎng - to nourish).

  • For "family," use: 家 (jiā - family, home).

  • For "food" in a more general sense, 食 (shí - food, to eat) is a more classical and slightly less literal character.

In summary, "饭" is a high-context tattoo. Its power comes almost entirely from the personal story behind it. Without that story, it risks being perceived as a literal and somewhat odd choice. Carefully consider if a more abstract character could better capture the essence of what you wish to express.

How to Write "饭" (Stroke Order)

The stroke order for "饭" is essential for writing it correctly and elegantly.

  1. First (Left Radical): 丿 (Short left-falling stroke) - The top stroke of the "饣" radical.

  2. Second (Left Radical): ㇇ (Horizontal Hook) - The horizontal hook stroke.

  3. Third (Left Radical): 丨 (Vertical Lift) - The final vertical stroke of the radical.

  4. Fourth (Right Part): 丿 (Left-falling) - The first stroke of "反".

  5. Fifth (Right Part): 丿 (Shorter left-falling) - The second stroke.

  6. Sixth (Right Part): ㇇ (Horizontal Hook) - The horizontal hook.

  7. Seventh (Right Part): ㇏ (Right-falling) - The final right-falling stroke.

饭字意思【meaning】

饭字基本字义解释【Basic meaning】

饭fàn（ㄈㄢˋ）

⒈  煮熟的谷类食品：大米饭。

⒉  泛指人每天定时分次吃的食物：早饭。饭菜。饭馆。饭量。酒囊饭袋。

⒊  吃饭，或给人饭吃：“饭疏食饮水，曲肱而枕之，乐亦在其中矣”。

⒋  喂牲畜：饭牛。

饭的异体字【Variant】

  • 飯

  • 飰

饭字汉英互译【Chinese-English Translation】

meal、rice

饭的英文翻译【English Translation】

cooked rice; food, meal

饭字组词【Word Grouping】

寝饭;饭蔬;做饭;饭僧;茶饭;吃衣饭;用饭;槍底饭;饭磬;顿饭;乞饭;加饭;饭单;卯饭;夹生饭;

饭字取名的含义是什么【What does the name mean?】：

饭字取名义指睿智,成功,睿智之义;

饭配什么字最好【What word is best?】

起名饭配什么字最好【What word is best?】?饭配什么字最好【What word is best?】男孩可配毅、雷、岩、义、诚等字起名大气好听的。女孩饭字配什么字好听可配苡、葶、檬、娓、瑷等字起名最好听。

与饭字搭配的最佳男孩名字【Best boy names that go with this word】

饭字起名没有名字，该字不适合或很少用来起男孩名

与饭字搭配的最佳女孩名字【Best girl names that go with this word】

饭字起名没有名字，该字不适合或很少用来起女孩名

chinese characters

Chinese words