Definitions

fěng to recite, to intone, to chant

Etymology phono-semantic

mouth

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 唪 is structured as a phono-semantic compound with the mouth radical 口 on the left and the component 奉 on the right, the latter providing phonetic approximation and a semantic association with offering or reverence. Etymologically, this combination originally denoted the production of loud sounds or recitation, but its application gradually narrowed to specifically describe the ritual chanting of Buddhist texts, reflecting a shift from general vocalization to a defined religious context.

Etymology Hide

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