Definitions

fěng to recite, to intone, to chant

Etymology phono-semantic

mouth

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound that combines the mouth radical , marking it as an oral activity, with the phonetic component . It refers to reciting or intoning aloud with a rhythmic cadence, most commonly the chanting of Buddhist scriptures. Unlike ordinary speech, the character conveys a melodic and ceremonial quality, signifying formal oral recitation. The radical indicates the vocal mechanism, while provides the pronunciation.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern