Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
奮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
奮fènto strive, to exert effort; to arousezg, 16 strokes, radical 大, rank #54814, Very Hard
fèn(fen4)fen T4
  1. 1to strive, to exert effort; to arouse
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

奮fèn(fen4)

The character 奮 (fèn) means to strive or exert effort towards achieving something. It often conveys a sense of motivation and determination, commonly used in contexts where one is encouraged to work hard or to awaken one's potential.

Strokes16Radical大Frequency#54814DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the idea of striving is highly valued, often reflected in sayings like '不怕苦' (bùpà kǔ, not afraid of hardship). The character 奮 embodies this spirit of hard work and perseverance in both personal and professional contexts.

Memory tip

Imagine a fierce warrior, with a sword raised high, ready to fight for their goals. The character 奮 looks like a person (亻) standing tall and exerting energy, combined with the element of 'to arouse' (奮). Think of the pronunciation 'fèn' as a battle cry, energizing you to strive for success.

Meanings of 奮

fèn(fen4)
1to strive, to exert effort; to arouse
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 奮 means.

About 奮

奮Simplified
16Strokes
大Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 奮

JasonAmy

Podcast: 奮

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 奮

Quick Contrast

奋 (fèn) vs 努力 (nǔlì) — use 奮 for a stronger sense of striving with motivation, while 努力 emphasizes hard work in a more general sense.

Usage Notes

This character is often used in formal contexts, such as motivational speeches or literature. Be careful with the fourth tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning. Common collocations include 奮鬥 (fèndòu, to struggle) and 奮發 (fènfā, to be inspired).

HSK Study Tips

Although 奮 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with concepts of effort and motivation found in HSK levels 4-6. Focus on its usage in phrases and understand its role in expressing actions related to striving.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 奮 with 勤 (qín, diligent) as both relate to effort. For example, saying '我很勤' (wǒ hěn qín) instead of '我很奮' (wǒ hěn fèn) can change the nuance of what you intend to express.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 奮

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 奮 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 奮 to you

Let me explain 奮 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 奮 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How well do you know 奮?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 奮 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 奮

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 奮. Origin unclear. The traditional component 隹 was removed for simplification.

Memory hint

A man 大 working on the farm 田

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 奮?

Decomposition of 奮

IDS Structure⿳大隹田
奮Full character
=
大da4
top
隹zhui1
middle
田Tian2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 奮?

How to say to strive, to exert effort; to arouse in Chinese

“to strive, to exert effort; to arouse” in Chinese is奮fèn

The character 奮 (fèn) means to strive or exert effort towards achieving something. It often conveys a sense of motivation and determination, commonly used in contexts where one is encouraged to work hard or to awaken one's potential.

When to use 奮

This character is often used in formal contexts, such as motivational speeches or literature. Be careful with the fourth tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning. Common collocations include 奮鬥 (fèndòu, to struggle) and 奮發 (fènfā, to be inspired).

奮 or something close to it

奋 (fèn) vs 努力 (nǔlì) — use 奮 for a stronger sense of striving with motivation, while 努力 emphasizes hard work in a more general sense.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 奮 with 勤 (qín, diligent) as both relate to effort. For example, saying '我很勤' (wǒ hěn qín) instead of '我很奮' (wǒ hěn fèn) can change the nuance of what you intend to express.

Write 奮

奮

Practice writing 奮 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 奮?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 奮

Words containing this character20
兴奋xīngfènexcited興奮
奋斗fèndòuto strive奮鬥
勤奋qínfènhardworking勤奮
奋力fènlìto strive奮力
振奋zhènfènto stir oneself up振奮
兴奋剂xīngfènjìstimulant興奮劑
奋战to fight bravely奮戰
艰苦奋斗jiānkǔfèndòuto struggle arduously艱苦奮鬥
亢奋excited亢奮
奋fènto exert oneself (bound form)奮
奋起to rise vigorously奮起
奋勇fènyǒngdauntless奮勇
奋进to endeavor奮進
奋不顾身regardless of perils奮不顧身
孤军奋战lit. lone army putting up a brave fight (idiom)孤軍奮戰
自告奋勇to volunteer for自告奮勇
奋发energetic mood奮發
奋发图强to work energetically for prosperity (of the country)奮發圖強
发奋to make an effort發奮
令人振奋inspiring令人振奮
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 奮

What does 兴奋 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 奮

It is pronounced as 'fèn' with a falling tone, which is the fourth tone in Mandarin.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 奮?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab