How to Write 遍 (biàn) — Meaning “Times (measure word for actions)”

Imagine walking (辶) across a flat, wide field (扁) – you cover every part of it. This "walking the whole field" helps you remember that 遍 means "everywhere" (as in 遍地) and also "once through" (as in 一遍, doing something completely from beginning to end).

First write the right part 扁 (9 strokes: 户, then 冂, then 艹 inside? Actually write 户, then the horizontal and vertical frame, then the two verticals inside). After finishing the right side, add the 辶 radical (3 strokes: dot, bend, and the final long sweeping stroke). A common mistake is making the 辶 too small or not letting its last stroke support the whole character – keep the 辶's tail long and balanced.

While all three have the same walking radical 辶, the inside part is different. 逋 uses 甫 (fǔ) and means "to flee" or "to owe" – it is very rare in modern Chinese. 逍 uses 肖 (xiào) and only appears in the word 逍遥 (xiāoyáo), meaning "carefree". In contrast, 遍 uses 扁 and is a common HSK 2 character meaning "everywhere" or "times" (measure word for actions).

遍 is used as a measure word for actions: 一遍 means "once through" (e.g., 读一遍 – read once) and 再说一遍 means "say it again". It also appears in adverbs like 遍地 (everywhere) and 遍及 (to extend all over). A cultural saying is "读书百遍，其义自见" – read a book a hundred times, and its meaning will appear naturally.

Common words containing 遍 include: 遍地 (biàn dì) — Everywhere; 遍及 (biàn jí) — To extend all over; 一遍 (yī biàn) — once; one time through.