Definitions

fèi (noun) lung

Etymology phono-semantic

flesh

Semantic: Phonetic: 巿

About

The character 肺 is a phono-semantic compound. The left side uses the flesh radical 月 (ròu), derived from the character for meat, which is standard for anatomical terms. The right side is the component 巿 (fú), a four-stroke element serving as the phonetic indicator, distinct from the similar-looking character for market (市). 肺 specifically denotes the lungs, the primary respiratory organs. Its core meaning has remained anatomical. In traditional Chinese medicine and cultural usage, it is often extended metaphorically to represent the seat of breathing, vital energy, and deep, sincere feelings.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

吸烟对有害。

Xī yān duì fèi yǒu hài.

Smoking is harmful to the lungs.

他的部很健康。

Tā de fèi bù hěn jiàn kāng.

His lungs are very healthy.

医生建议他保护

Yī shēng jiàn yì tā bǎo hù fèi.

The doctor advised him to protect his lungs.

炎是一种常见疾病。

Fèi yán shì yī zhǒng cháng jiàn jí bìng.

Pneumonia is a common disease.

癌的早期症状不明显。

Fèi ái de zǎo qī zhèng zhuàng bù míng xiǎn.

Early symptoms of lung cancer are not obvious.

定期检查功能很重要。

Dìng qī jiǎn chá fèi gōng néng hěn zhòng yào.

Regular check-ups of lung function are important.

环境污染会影响部健康。

Huán jìng wū rǎn huì yǐng xiǎng fèi bù jiàn kāng.

Environmental pollution can affect lung health.

科学家正在研究病的治疗方法。

Kē xué jiā zhèng zài yán jiū fèi bìng de zhì liáo fāng fǎ.

Scientists are researching treatments for lung diseases.