芬

fēn

分 + 艹

Definitions

fēn (noun) fragrance; perfume

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 分 represents the sound.

Semantic: 艹 Phonetic: 分

About

芬 is a phonosemantic compound that denotes a pleasant scent or fragrance, especially of plants. The grass radical 艹 (cǎo) at the top indicates its connection to vegetation, herbs, and flowers; the phonetic component 分 (fēn) below supplies the pronunciation. The character's meaning directly evokes the sweet smell of blooming flowers and aromatic herbs. Owing to these refined associations, 芬 frequently appears in literature to describe fragrant environments and is a highly popular choice for female given names, conveying elegance, sweetness, and natural beauty.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这朵花很芬芳。

Zhè duǒ huā hěn fēnfāng.

This flower is very fragrant.

花园里弥漫着芬芳。

Huāyuán lǐ mímàn zhe fēnfāng.

The garden is permeated with fragrance.

芬兰是一个美丽的国家。

Fēnlán shì yīgè měilì de guójiā.

Finland is a beautiful country.

她身上有淡淡的芬香。

Tā shēnshàng yǒu dàndàn de fēnxiāng.

She has a light fragrance on her.

这种香水散发出持久芬芳。

Zhè zhǒng xiāngshuǐ sànfā chū chíjiǔ fēnfāng.

This perfume emits a long-lasting fragrance.

在芬芳香氛中，他感到放松。

Zài fēnfāng xiāngfēn zhōng, tā gǎndào fàngsōng.

In the fragrant aroma, he felt relaxed.

经过芬芳香薰治疗，她睡眠更好。

Jīngguò fēnfāng xiāngxūn zhìliáo, tā shuìmián gèng hǎo.

After aromatic therapy, she sleeps better.

芬兰的森林里充满了自然芬芳的气息。

Fēnlán de sēnlín lǐ chōngmǎn le zìrán fēnfāng de qìxī.

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

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 分

Component: 艹

芬