搬 (bān)

搬 means to move something from one place to another, usually by carrying it. It is used both for moving objects and for moving house or residence. 搬家 (to move house) is one of the most common compounds.

Meanings

[verb] To move an object by carrying it from one place to another.
[verb] To move house; to relocate one's residence.

Example Sentences

帮我搬一下这张桌子。 Bāng wǒ bān yīxià zhè zhāng zhuōzi. Help me move this table.

我们下个月要搬家。 Wǒmen xià gè yuè yào bānjiā. We are moving house next month.

他搬到了一个新城市。 Tā bān dào le yī gè xīn chéngshì. He moved to a new city.

这些箱子太重了，一个人搬不动。 Zhèxiē xiāngzi tài zhòng le, yī gè rén bān bu dòng. These boxes are too heavy; one person cannot move them.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
搬家	to move house
搬进	to move into
搬出	to move out of
搬走	to move away
搬运	to transport; to haul

Memory Hook

搬 has the hand radical (扌) and a component suggesting effort. Picture gripping something heavy with both hands and heaving it across the room. That physical effort of relocation is 搬. A memorable compound is 搬家公司 (moving company), the business you call when you need professionals to carry all your furniture to a new home.