氛

fēn

分 + 气

Definitions

fēn (noun) atmosphere; mood

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 气 represents the meaning and 分 represents the sound.

Semantic: 气 Phonetic: 分

About

The character 氛 is a phono-semantic compound. The radical 气 (gas, air) at the top provides the semantic category, while the component 分 underneath indicates the pronunciation. Historically, 氛 described physical atmospheric phenomena like mist, fog, or vapor, and sometimes an ominous miasma. Over time, its meaning extended to refer to the intangible atmosphere, the prevailing mood of a setting, or the collective emotional tone of a group. The phonetic component 分 (to divide, a fraction) contributes to the sound without affecting the core meaning related to air or atmosphere.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这里的氛围很轻松。

Zhèlǐ de fēnwéi hěn qīngsōng.

The atmosphere here is very relaxed.

聚会的气氛非常热烈。

Jùhuì de qìfēn fēicháng rèliè.

The party atmosphere is very lively.

办公室的工作氛围很紧张。

Bàngōngshì de gōngzuò fēnwéi hěn jǐnzhāng.

The work atmosphere in the office is very tense.

节日给城市带来了欢乐的氛围。

Jiérì gěi chéngshì dàilái le huānlè de fēnwéi.

The festival brought a joyful atmosphere to the city.

紧张的气氛让每个人都感到压力。

Jǐnzhāng de qìfēn ràng měi gè rén dōu gǎndào yālì.

The tense atmosphere makes everyone feel pressure.

通过装饰，我们营造了温馨的家庭氛围。

Tōngguò zhuāngshì, wǒmen yíngzào le wēnxīn de jiātíng fēnwéi.

Through decoration, we created a warm family atmosphere.

在讨论中，积极的气氛有助于达成共识。

Zài tǎolùn zhōng, jījí de qìfēn yǒuzhù yú dáchéng gòngshí.

In discussions, a positive atmosphere helps in reaching consensus.

尽管外部环境嘈杂，但图书馆内依然保持着宁静的学术氛围。

Jǐnguǎn wàibù huánjìng cáozá, dàn túshūguǎn nèi yīrán bǎochí zhe níngjìng de xuéshù fēnwéi.

Despite the noisy external environment, the library still maintains a quiet academic atmosphere.

Related Characters

Component: 分

Component: 气

氛