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蜂 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
蜂fēngbee, wasp, hornetn, 13 strokes, radical 虫, rank #7303, Hard
蜂fēngold variant of 蜂[fēng]n, 13 strokes, radical 虫, rank #7303, Hard
fēng(feng1)feng T1
  1. 1bee, wasp, hornet
  2. 2old variant of 蜂[fēng]
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March 24, 2026

蜂(䗬)fēng(feng1)

The character 蜂 (fēng) refers to insects such as bees, wasps, or hornets. It is commonly used in various contexts, especially in agriculture, beekeeping, and discussions about nature. The character conveys not only the physical insect but can also symbolize industriousness and teamwork, as bees are known for their important roles in pollination and hive dynamics.

Strokes13Radical虫Frequency#7303DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, bees symbolize hard work and collective effort, often referenced in proverbs and sayings that emphasize diligence and cooperation. Beekeeping has a long history in China, contributing to traditional agricultural practices.

Memory Tip

Think of a buzzing bee, 'fēng' sounds like 'fling' which you might do when swatting away a bee. The character 蜂 has the radical for insect (虫) at the bottom, reminding you that it's an insect, and its top part looks like wings, hinting at how bees fly.

Meanings of 蜂

fēng(feng1)
1bee, wasp, hornet
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 蜂

蜂Simplified
䗬Traditional
13Strokes
虫Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7303Frequency Rank

Podcast: 蜂

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Podcast: 蜂

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AI Study Notes for 蜂

Quick Contrast

蜜蜂 (mìfēng) vs 黄蜂 (huángfēng) — use 蜂 (fēng) when referring to bees in general, while 蜜蜂 (mìfēng) specifically denotes honeybees, and 黄蜂 (huángfēng) refers to wasps.

Usage Notes

Be careful with the tone; it is pronounced fēng (first tone), as incorrect tones can change the meaning. Common collocations include 蜂蜜 (honey) and 蜂窝 (honeycomb). This term is generally informal but can be used in educational contexts as well.

HSK Study Tips

Although 蜂 is not officially listed in HSK levels, it connects to HSK vocabulary related to nature and animals. Focus on recognizing the insect radical (虫) to relate it to other insect-related vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 蜂 (fēng) with other insect characters like 蚂 (mǎ, ant) due to similar themes. Ensure you remember that 蜂 specifically refers to bees and wasps, not ants.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蜂

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Etymology of 蜂

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

insect

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

Origin

蜂 = 虫 + 夆. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 蜂

IDS Structure⿰虫夆
蜂Full Character
=
虫chong2
left
夆feng2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 蜂?

How to say bee, wasp, hornet in Chinese

“bee, wasp, hornet” in Chinese is蜂fēng

The character 蜂 (fēng) refers to insects such as bees, wasps, or hornets. It is commonly used in various contexts, especially in agriculture, beekeeping, and discussions about nature. The character conveys not only the physical insect but can also symbolize industriousness and teamwork, as bees are known for their important roles in pollination and hive dynamics.

When to use 蜂

Be careful with the tone; it is pronounced fēng (first tone), as incorrect tones can change the meaning. Common collocations include 蜂蜜 (honey) and 蜂窝 (honeycomb). This term is generally informal but can be used in educational contexts as well.

蜂 or something close to it

蜜蜂 (mìfēng) vs 黄蜂 (huángfēng) — use 蜂 (fēng) when referring to bees in general, while 蜜蜂 (mìfēng) specifically denotes honeybees, and 黄蜂 (huángfēng) refers to wasps.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 蜂 (fēng) with other insect characters like 蚂 (mǎ, ant) due to similar themes. Ensure you remember that 蜂 specifically refers to bees and wasps, not ants.

Write 蜂

蜂

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

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Grammar Patterns of 蜂

蜂 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). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

蜜____之间所用的交流方式是昆虫中最为复杂的方式之一。

Honeybees use one of the most sophisticated communication systems of any insect.

Example Sentences for 蜂 (10)

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1
蜜蜂之间所用的交流方式是昆虫中最为复杂的方式之一。

mì fēng zhī jiān suǒ yòng de jiāo liú fāng shì shì kūn chóng zhōng zuì wéi fù zá de fāng shì zhī yī。

Honeybees use one of the most sophisticated communication systems of any insect.
2
那件连衣裙凸显了她的蜂腰,也让她的胸部看起来更丰满。

nà jiàn lián yī qún tū xiǎn le tā de fēng yāo, , yě ràng tā de xiōng bù kàn qǐ lái gēng fēng。

The dress exaggerates her wasp waist and enlarges her bosom.
3
一些独居蜂会把巢筑在田间的地洞里。

yī xiē dú jū fēng huì bǎ cháo zhù zài tián jiān de dì dòng lǐ。

Some solitary bees make their nests in burrows in the soil.
4
可以买一种含蜂王浆、花粉和维生素C的配方产品。

kě yǐ mǎi yī zhǒng hán fēng wáng jiāng、 、 huā fěn hé wéi shēngC sù C de pèi fāng。

You can buy a formulation containing royal jelly, pollen and vitamin C.
5
如果你喜欢吃甜的就多加点蜂蜜。

rú guǒ nǐ xǐ huān chī tián de jiù duō jiā diǎn fēng mì。

Add more honey if you have a sweet tooth.
6
加一点蜂蜜或浓缩苹果汁或梨汁,让菜带点甜味。

jiā yī diǎn fēng mì huò nóng suō píng guǒ zhī huò lí zhī, , ràng cài dài diǎn tián。

Sweeten dishes sparingly with honey, or con-centrated apple or pear juice.
7
下午6点钟大群大群的人从无数办公楼里蜂拥而出。

xià wǔ6 6 diǎn zhōng dà qún dà qún de rén cóng wú shù bàn gōng lóu lǐ fēng yōng ér。

At six p.m. large groups poured from the numerous offices.
8
加点蜂蜜来调和酸味。

jiā diǎn fēng mì lái tiáo hé suān wèi。

Add honey to counterbalance the acidity.
9
一只黄蜂飞进了开着的窗子。

yī zhī huáng fēng fēi jìn le kāi zháo de chuāng zǐ。

A wasp flew in the open window.
10
门一开,人们蜂拥而出。

mén yī kāi, , rén mén fēng yōng ér。

A stampede broke out when the doors opened.

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Word Family of 蜂

Words Containing This Character20
蜜蜂mìfēngbee
蜂蜜fēngmìhoney
蜂fēngbee
黄蜂wasp黃蜂
蜂窝bee's nest蜂窩
蜂巢beehive
蜂鸟hummingbird蜂鳥
蜂群swarm
一窝蜂like a swarm of bees一窩蜂
养蜂to raise bees養蜂
蜂房hive
工蜂worker bee
蜂王queen bee
雄蜂drone (bee)
大黄蜂bumblebee大黃蜂
马蜂hornet馬蜂
蜂箱beehive
蜂王浆royal jelly蜂王漿
蜂拥to mill蜂擁
蜂鸣器buzzer蜂鳴器
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 蜂

What does 蜜蜂 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 蜂

It is pronounced fēng, with a high and level first tone.

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