Definitions

píng (verb) to gallop; to wade; to assist
Féng (noun) Feng (surname)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character '冯' originated from an early conceptual form that combined a representation of water or ice with that of a horse, suggesting an association with crossing rivers or moving with determined force. In its traditional configuration as '馮', the element '冫', which often denotes ice or liquid, is coupled with '馬' meaning horse, a pairing that historically implied a phonetic connection to the sound of hoofbeats on a hard surface or a semantic link to traversing waterways. Over time, the character's meaning transitioned from describing such vigorous movement or fording action to functioning primarily as a verb meaning to rely upon or to mount, while also solidifying its role as a familial surname. The simplified iteration '冯' maintains the water radical but incorporates the abbreviated equine component '马', thus conserving the essential structural and etymological relationship despite its visual reduction.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

先生是中国人。

Féng xiānsheng shì Zhōngguó rén.

Mr. Feng is Chinese.

我认识老师。

Wǒ rènshí Féng lǎoshī.

I know Teacher Feng.

小姐住在北京。

Féng xiǎojiě zhù zài Běijīng.

Miss Feng lives in Beijing.

经理今天很忙。

Féng jīnglǐ jīntiān hěn máng.

Manager Feng is very busy today.

我们欢迎教授演讲。

Wǒmen huānyíng Féng jiàoshòu yǎnjiǎng.

We welcome Professor Feng to give a speech.

工程师设计了这座桥。

Féng gōngchéngshī shèjì le zhè zuò qiáo.

Engineer Feng designed this bridge.

女士在会议上发表了意见。

Féng nǚshì zài huìyì shàng fābiǎo le yìjiàn.

Ms. Feng expressed her opinion at the meeting.

博士的研究成果获得了国际认可。

Féng bóshì de yánjiū chéngguǒ huòdé le guójì rènkě.

Dr. Feng's research achievements have gained international recognition.