How to Write 搬 (bān) — Meaning “to move (heavy objects)”

Imagine your hand (扌) pushing a heavy boat (舟) that is shaped like a box with a handle (般). Think of the sound 'ban' as in 'banana' – you use your hand to move a bunch of heavy bananas. This picture helps you recall the left hand and the right side 般.

Write the left radical 扌 first: horizontal stroke, then vertical hook, then lift. For the right side 般, start with 舟 (6 strokes: left-falling, horizontal hook, dot, horizontal, dot, vertical) then add 殳 (4 strokes: left-falling, horizontal fold hook, horizontal fold fold hook, right-falling). A common mistake is making the right side too small or not balancing the left and right widths—keep both parts about equal.

搬 means to move heavy objects, often with effort, while 捧 (pěng) means to hold gently in both hands, like cupping a flower. 挲 (shā) means to stroke or rub lightly. Visually, 搬 has the right part 般, 捧 has 奉, and 挲 has a different component (沙) – so focus on the right side to tell them apart.

搬 is very common for moving houses (搬家), moving furniture, or transporting goods (搬运). In Chinese culture, moving to a new home is often done on a lucky date chosen from the lunar calendar, and friends or family help with the carrying to share the hard work. You will also see 搬 in logistics and daily life when shifting heavy items.

Common words containing 搬 include: 搬家 (bān jiā) — to move house; 搬运 (bān yùn) — transport / carry; 搬走 (bān zǒu) — move away.