Definitions

fèng (verb) to offer respectfully; to present (to superior)
fèng (verb) to revere; to respect
fèng (verb) to serve; to wait upon
fèng (verb) to accept orders (from superior)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. and represent the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character 奉 combines 手 (hand) at the base, indicating an action, with an upper part depicting the act of holding something aloft with both hands. Its core meaning is to offer something respectfully to a superior, elder, or deity, highlighting a vertical hierarchy. This sense of respectful submission later extended to receiving orders or commissions from authority, conveying duty and compliance. Over time, the meaning broadened further to include serving or attending to someone, reflecting the enduring posture of respect implied by the original gesture.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

献了自己的青春。

Tā fèngxiàn le zìjǐ de qīngchūn.

He dedicated his youth.

命前来报到。

Wǒ fèngmìng qiánlái bàodào.

I have come to report as ordered.

他不喜欢承别人。

Tā bù xǐhuān fèngchéng biérén.

He doesn't like to flatter others.

我愿陪到底。

Wǒ yuàn fèngpéi dàodǐ.

I am willing to keep you company to the end.

这本书我会还给你。

Zhè běn shū wǒ huì fènghuán gěi nǐ.

I will return this book to you.

我们必须行这项政策。

Wǒmen bìxū fèngxíng zhè xiàng zhèngcè.

We must implement this policy.

本店免费送礼品。

Běn diàn miǎnfèi fèngsòng lǐpǐn.

This store offers gifts for free.

详情容我日后告。

Xiángqíng róng wǒ rìhòu fènggào.

Details will be informed to you later.