芳

fāng

方 + 艹

Definitions

fāng (adjective) fragrant; aromatic

Etymology

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

Semantic: 艹 Phonetic: 方

About

芳 is a phono-semantic compound: the radical 艹 (grass) points to a plant meaning, and the component 方 functions as the phonetic indicator. The character's original sense is the sweet fragrance emitted by flowers and aromatic herbs, making it a common term for floral scents. By extension, it developed figurative meanings of good reputation, virtue, and moral beauty. It is frequently used in names and literary expressions associated with youth and virtue.

Etymology Hide

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

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

我的名字叫小芳。

Wǒ de míngzi jiào Xiǎofāng.

My name is Xiaofang.

花园里鲜花芬芳。

Huāyuán lǐ xiānhuā fēnfāng.

The flowers in the garden are fragrant.

春天到处是芳草。

Chūntiān dàochù shì fāngcǎo.

There is lush, fragrant grass everywhere in spring.

这座城市留下了他的芳名。

Zhè zuò chéngshì liú xià le tā de fāngmíng.

This city bears his good name.

空气中弥漫着芳香。

Kōngqì zhōng mímàn zhe fāngxiāng.

The air is filled with fragrance.

她珍惜自己的流芳岁月。

Tā zhēnxī zìjǐ de liúfāng suìyuè.

She cherishes her time of leaving a good name.

这是一种耐寒的芳纶纤维。

Zhè shì yī zhǒng nàihán de fānglún xiānwéi.

This is a cold-resistant aramid fiber.

芬芳的回忆总伴随着温暖。

Fēnfāng de huíyì zǒng bànsuízhe wēnnuǎn.

Fragrant memories are always accompanied by warmth.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 方

Component: 艹

芳