Definitions

fēn (adjective) numerous; confused; disorderly

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "纷", historically represented in its traditional form as "紛", structurally integrates the silk radical with the phonetic element "分", a composition that etymologically suggests an initial connection to the disorder and entanglement of threads. This linkage to tangible confusion in textile materials provided a foundation for its early meanings, which centered on physical disarray and complication. Over time, the semantic range of the character extended beyond literal tangles to abstractly denote states of general disorder, numerousness, and scattered complexity, thereby encompassing ideas of multifariousness and contentious multiplicity in both social and descriptive contexts without departing from its inherent notion of intertwined chaos.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 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)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

雪花扬扬地落下。

Xuěhuā fēnfēn yángyáng de luò xià.

Snowflakes fall profusely.

意见纭,难以统一。

Yìjiàn fēnyún, nányǐ tǒngyī.

Opinions are diverse and hard to unify.

五彩缤的灯光很漂亮。

Wǔcǎi bīnfēn de dēngguāng hěn piàoliang.

The colorful lights are very beautiful.

这场争持续了好几年。

Zhè chǎng fēnzhēng chíxùle hǎo jǐ nián.

This dispute lasted for several years.

思绪乱,无法集中精神。

Sīxù fēnluàn, wúfǎ jízhōng jīngshén.

My thoughts are in turmoil; I can't concentrate.

各种消息至沓来。

Gè zhǒng xiāoxi fēn zhì tà lái.

All kinds of news came pouring in.

面对繁复杂的世界,他感到迷茫。

Miànduì fēnfán fùzá de shìjiè, tā gǎndào mímáng.

Facing the complicated and intricate world, he felt confused.

在历史的扰中寻求真理并非易事。

Zài lìshǐ de fēnrǎo zhōng xúnqiú zhēnlǐ bìng fēi yì shì.

Seeking truth amidst the turmoil of history is no easy task.