Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
芳 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
fāngfragrant; beautiful, virtuousnr, 7 strokes, radical 艹, rank #13658, Hard
fāng(fang1) T1
  1. 1fragrant; beautiful, virtuous
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
fāng(fang1)

The character 芳 (fāng) primarily means 'fragrant' and is often used to describe pleasant scents, particularly in relation to flowers or perfume. It also carries connotations of beauty and virtue, frequently associated with women in literary contexts. In everyday usage, it can describe anything that is pleasing to the senses, especially in a more poetic or formal setting.

Strokes7RadicalFrequency#13658DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the character 芳 is often associated with traditional virtues and feminine grace, making it a popular choice in poetry and literature to symbolize a virtuous woman. The phrase 芳香 (fāngxiāng) is commonly used to describe fragrant scents in both household and ceremonial contexts.

Memory Tip

Imagine a beautiful flower (which represents 芳) surrounded by a sweet aroma. The character has the radical 艹 (cǎo) at the top, indicating its connection to plants, and the bottom part (方) sounds like 'fāng,' which can remind you of 'fragrant.' Picture walking through a garden of fragrant flowers, and you’ll remember that 芳 embodies beauty and pleasant scents.

Meanings of 芳

fāng(fang1)
1fragrant; beautiful, virtuous
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 芳

Simplified
7Strokes
Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 芳

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 芳

Quick Contrast

芳 (fāng) vs 香 (xiāng): Use 芳 when describing a more poetic or literary fragrance, while 香 is more common and informal.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a beautiful flower (which represents 芳) surrounded by a sweet aroma. The character has the radical 艹 (cǎo) at the top, indicating its connection to plants, and the bottom part (方) sounds like 'fāng,' which can remind you of 'fragrant.' Picture walking through a garden of fragrant flowers, and you’ll remember that 芳 embodies beauty and pleasant scents.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 芳 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. This word is more frequently used in literary or formal contexts, so avoid using it in everyday casual conversations. Pay attention to the tone: it should always be pronounced with a high level tone (fāng), as incorrect tones can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

Although 芳 is not at a specific HSK level, it can be linked to words at HSK 3 and higher that deal with beauty or nature, such as 美 (měi, beautiful) or 花 (huā, flower). Students should focus on recognizing its usage in poetic or elevated speech, which will enhance vocabulary in those contexts.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the character 芳 is often associated with traditional virtues and feminine grace, making it a popular choice in poetry and literature to symbolize a virtuous woman. The phrase 芳香 (fāngxiāng) is commonly used to describe fragrant scents in both household and ceremonial contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 芳 in contexts where more casual terms for 'fragrance' would be appropriate, such as saying 芳 for food scents instead of using more common words like 香 (xiāng). Another mistake is mispronouncing it as 'fáng' with a rising tone, which changes the meaning entirely.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 芳

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

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

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 芳

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

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

Memory Hint

flower

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 芳?

Decomposition of 芳

IDS Structure⿱艹方
Full Character
=
cao3
top
Fang1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 芳?

Write 芳

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 芳

芳 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

那里有两棵柠檬树,我不禁驻足品味柠檬的芬____。

There were two lemon trees and I paused to enjoy their perfume.

Example Sentences for 芳 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
那里有两棵柠檬树,我不禁驻足品味柠檬的芬芳。

nà lǐ yǒu liǎng kē níng méng shù, , wǒ bù jīn zhù zú pǐn wèi níng méng de fēn。

There were two lemon trees and I paused to enjoy their perfume.
2
他很得意自己“芳心猎手”这一名声。

tā hěn dé yì zì jǐ“ “ fāng xīn liè” shǒu ” zhè yī。

He is proud of his reputation as a seducer of young women.
3
芳香胶囊对缓解鼻塞有奇效。

fāng xiāng jiāo náng duì huǎn jiě bí sāi yǒu qí xiào。

Aromatic capsules are great for easing the discomfort of a stuffy nose.
4
我对替代疗法非常感兴趣,想做个芳香疗法治疗师。

wǒ duì tì dài liáo fǎ fēi cháng gǎn xīng qù, , xiǎng zuò gè fāng xiāng liáo fǎ zhì liáo。

I was interested in alternative medicine and becoming an aromatherapist.
5
草给阳光晒枯了,发出一阵叫人意满心欢的收获期的芳香气息.

cǎo gěi yáng guāng shài kū le, , fā chū yī zhèn jiào rén yì mǎn xīn huān de shōu huò qī de fāng xiāng qì.

The sunburnt grass breathed a harvest breath of dry sweetness and content.
6
我们漫步经过泉水叮咚的喷泉和芬芳四溢的花园。

wǒ mén màn bù jīng guò quán shuǐ dīng dōng de pēn quán hé fēn fāng sì yì de huā yuán。

We strolled past tinkling fountains and perfumed gardens.
7
请闻闻这些芬芳的花朵!

qǐng wén wén zhè xiē fēn fāng de huā duǒ!

Just smell these sweet flowers!
8
雨水净化了空气, 青草闻起来清新芳香.

yǔ shuǐ jìng huà le kōng qì, , qīng cǎo wén qǐ lái qīng xīn fāng.

The rain had cleared the air, and the grass smelt fresh and sweet.
9
他吸了一口芳香飘溢的夜晚的空气,闻到了泥土的气息.

tā xī le yī kǒu fāng xiāng piāo yì de yè wǎn de kōng qì, , wén dào le ní tǔ de qì.

He breathes the sweet - laden night air and smells the earth.
10
最卓越最完美的小姐, 愿诸天为您散下芬芳的香雾!

zuì zhuó yuè zuì wán měi de xiǎo jiě, , yuàn zhū tiān wéi nín sàn xià fēn fāng de xiāng!

Most excellent accomplished lady, the heavens rain odours on you!

Cultural Notes for 芳

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the character 芳 is often associated with traditional virtues and feminine grace, making it a popular choice in poetry and literature to symbolize a virtuous woman. The phrase 芳香 (fāngxiāng) is commonly used to describe fragrant scents in both household and ceremonial contexts.

Word Family of 芳

Words Containing This Character17
fāngfragrant
芳香balmy
芬芳fēnfāngperfume
芳心the affection, or heart, of a young woman
流芳百世to leave a mark for generations to come
梅兰芳Mei Lanfang (1894-1961), famous master of Beijing opera, specialist in female roles梅蘭芳
群芳all flowers
雅芳Avon (cosmetics company)
芳龄age (of a young woman)芳齡
芳华youth芳華
孤芳自赏self-love孤芳自賞
芳容beautiful face (of a young lady)
芳烃aromatic hydrocarbon芳烴
流芳to leave a good reputation
孙传芳Sun Chuanfang (1885-1935) one of the northern warlord, murdered in Tianjin in 1935孫傳芳
芳香烃aromatic hydrocarbon (i.e. involving benzene ring)芳香烴
伍廷芳Wu Tingfang (1842-1922), diplomat and lawyer
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 芳 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 芳

Yes, while it often describes flowers, 芳 can also refer to any delightful or aromatic scent, including perfumes.