粪

糞

fèn

共 + 米

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

fèn (noun) manure; dung; excrement

Etymology

Depicts two hands (廾) using a dustpan (其) to sweep away garbage or feces. Based on the original meaning "to clean up". The meaning later shifted to "manure".

Semantic: 米 Phonetic: 共

About

The character 粪 (traditional 糞) originally depicted two hands (廾) holding a dustpan (其) to sweep away filth, with dots representing the dirt that later evolved into the top component 米. The modern simplified form uses 共 beneath 米, while the traditional 異 preserves more of the ancient composite. Originally meaning the act of cleaning, the sense shifted from the action to the material being swept, specifically excrement. Since such waste was collected for use as fertilizer, the character also carries the meaning of manure.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

农民用粪肥田。

Nóngmín yòng fèn féi tián.

Farmers use manure to fertilize the fields.

清理动物粪便很麻烦。

Qīnglǐ dòngwù fènbiàn hěn máfan.

Cleaning up animal waste is troublesome.

粪便是很好的肥料。

Fènbiàn shì hěn hǎo de féiliào.

Manure is excellent fertilizer.

粪坑需要定期清理。

Fènkēng xūyào dìngqī qīnglǐ.

The manure pit needs to be cleaned regularly.

他对粪肥发酵很有研究。

Tā duì fènféi fājiào hěn yǒu yánjiū.

He has done extensive research on manure fermentation.

这些粪料经过处理才能使用。

Zhèxiē fènliào jīngguò chǔlǐ cáinéng shǐyòng.

This manure material must be processed before use.

粪污资源化利用是环保课题。

Fènwū zīyuán huà lìyòng shì huánbǎo kètí.

The resource utilization of fecal waste is an environmental protection topic.

未经无害化处理的粪便会传播疾病。

Wèi jīng wúhàihuà chǔlǐ de fènbiàn huì chuánbō jíbìng.

Manure that hasn't undergone harmless treatment can spread diseases.

Related Characters

Component: 共

Component: 米

粪