Definitions

fēn (noun) fragrance; perfume

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 芬, representing fragrance, is constructed from the grass radical 艹 positioned above the phonetic element 分, a formation that aligns its meaning with botanical sources of scent. Etymologically, it originates from the idea of fragrant herbs or blossoms, with the component 分 primarily serving to indicate sound rather than contributing semantic content. Throughout its historical use, the character has maintained a core association with pleasant aromas, employed in classical literature to depict the smell of flowers and preserved in contemporary language within terms such as 芬芳, where it continues to convey the notion of perfume or sweet smell. Its structural consistency over time mirrors the stability of its conceptual focus, even as its stylistic presentation in writing has seen minor variations across different periods.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

这朵花很芳。

Zhè duǒ huā hěn fēnfāng.

This flower is very fragrant.

花园里弥漫着芳。

Huāyuán lǐ mímàn zhe fēnfāng.

The garden is permeated with fragrance.

兰是一个美丽的国家。

Fēnlán shì yīgè měilì de guójiā.

Finland is a beautiful country.

她身上有淡淡的香。

Tā shēnshàng yǒu dàndàn de fēnxiāng.

She has a light fragrance on her.

这种香水散发出持久芳。

Zhè zhǒng xiāngshuǐ sànfā chū chíjiǔ fēnfāng.

This perfume emits a long-lasting fragrance.

芳香氛中,他感到放松。

Zài fēnfāng xiāngfēn zhōng, tā gǎndào fàngsōng.

In the fragrant aroma, he felt relaxed.

经过芳香薰治疗,她睡眠更好。

Jīngguò fēnfāng xiāngxūn zhìliáo, tā shuìmián gèng hǎo.

After aromatic therapy, she sleeps better.

兰的森林里充满了自然芳的气息。

Fēnlán de sēnlín lǐ chōngmǎn le zìrán fēnfāng de qìxī.

The forests in Finland are filled with the scent of natural fragrance.