How to Write 磐 (pán) — Meaning “large rock / firm”

Picture a giant stone (石) that is so heavy and solid that a delivery truck (般, which looks like a ship or vehicle) cannot move it at all. This image of an unmovable stone helps you recall that 磐 means a firm, massive rock.

Pay attention to the top part 般: it has a short horizontal stroke followed by a left-falling stroke (丿), then a hook (㇁), and the final right-falling stroke (㇏) must not extend below the bottom 石. The bottom 石 should be centered and slightly smaller than the top to maintain balance.

硼 (péng) means boron or a type of rock with a different phonetic, while 碇 (dìng) refers to a stone anchor for a boat. Unlike 磐, which emphasizes firmness and stability, 硼 is a chemical element and 碇 is a specific object used for mooring.

磐 appears in formal or literary expressions like 磐石 (monolith) and 坚如磐石 (as firm as a rock), often to describe stability, loyalty, or unshakable strength. It is not common in daily conversation but appears in idioms, news, and poetry to evoke a sense of permanence.

Common words containing 磐 include: 磐石 (pán shí) — monolith / bedrock; 坚如磐石 (jiān rú pán shí) — rock-solid / firm as a rock; 磐固 (pán gù) — rock-solid / firm.