About
纷 is a phono-semantic compound. Its traditional form 紛 combines the semantic silk radical 糹 (left) with the phonetic component 分 (right). The silk radical connects to its original meaning, the tangled, scattered state of intertwined threads. The component 分 (to divide) not only contributes the sound but also suggests scattering or separation. From this concrete image of tangled threads, the meaning broadened to include concepts like confusion, disorder, and numerousness, as in falling snow or a flurry of opinions. The simplified form 纷 retains the phonetic 分 and uses the abbreviated silk radical 纟.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
雪花纷纷扬扬地落下。
意见纷纭，难以统一。
五彩缤纷的灯光很漂亮。
这场纷争持续了好几年。
思绪纷乱，无法集中精神。
各种消息纷至沓来。
面对纷繁复杂的世界，他感到迷茫。
在历史的纷扰中寻求真理并非易事。