Definitions

fēi (adverb) not; wrong; incorrect
fēi (particle) non-; un-; in-
fēi (verb) to reproach; to blame

Etymology

Depicts two people facing opposite directions.

About

The character "非" derives from an early pictorial concept representing two objects facing away from each other, conveying opposition. Its structure, consistent in both traditional and simplified forms, is composed of two mirrored vertical units each containing three short horizontal strokes, visually emphasizing dichotomy. Originally denoting concrete contrary actions or states, its meaning broadened to function as a general negator equivalent to "not" or "non-", while also retaining senses such as "wrong" or "incorrect" in various linguistic contexts.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
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 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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

常高兴。

Wǒ fēicháng gāoxìng.

I am very happy.

这是一个正式会议。

Zhè shì yī gè fēi zhèngshì huìyì.

This is an informal meeting.

这些商品是卖品。

Zhèxiē shāngpǐn shì fēi màipǐn.

These goods are not for sale.

洲有很多野生动物。

Fēizhōu yǒu hěn duō yěshēng dòngwù.

Africa has many wild animals.

他的行为引起了议。

Tā de xíngwéi yǐnqǐ le fēiyì.

His behavior has aroused criticism.

但没有道歉,还生气了。

Tā fēi dàn méiyǒu dàoqiàn, hái shēngqì le.

Not only did he not apologize, but he also got angry.

这个项目常重要,完成不可。

Zhège xiàngmù fēicháng zhòngyào, fēi wánchéng bùkě.

This project is very important and must be completed.

工作日,公司通常不营业。

Zài fēi gōngzuò rì, gōngsī tōngcháng bù yíngyè.

On non-working days, the company usually does not operate.