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非凡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
非凡fēifánout of the ordinaryHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #5580, Very Hard
非凡fēifánunusually (good, talented etc)HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #5580, Very Hard
fēifán(fei1fan2) T1
  1. 1out of the ordinary
  2. 2unusually (good, talented etc)
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March 24, 2026

非凡fēifán(fei1fan2)

非凡 (fēi fán) describes something that is extraordinary or exceptional, often in terms of talent, quality, or ability. It is commonly used to commend someone for their remarkable achievements or unique characteristics, suggesting that they stand out from the norm.

Strokes11Frequency#5580DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of '非凡' is often associated with historical figures, such as poets or leaders, who have made significant contributions, emphasizing the value placed on exceptional talent and achievement.

Memory Tip

Think of 非 (fēi) meaning 'not' and 凡 (fán) meaning 'ordinary'. Together, they create an image of someone or something that goes beyond what is ordinary, like a shining star in a dull sky, emphasizing their exceptional nature.

Meanings of 非凡

fēifán(fei1fan2)
1out of the ordinary
2unusually (good, talented etc)
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About 非凡

非凡Simplified
11Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 非凡

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Podcast: 非凡

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AI Study Notes for 非凡

Quick Contrast

卓越 (zhuóyuè) — use 非凡 when emphasizing uniqueness or individuality, while 卓越 focuses more on outstanding quality or performance.

Usage Notes

非凡 is often used in formal contexts, such as speeches or writing, to praise someone's abilities. A common mistake is to confuse it with 平凡 (píng fán), which means ordinary; remember that 非凡 denotes a positive distinction. It is often collocated with words like 人才 (réncái - talent) or 成就 (chéngjiù - achievement).

HSK Study Tips

Though not officially part of the HSK vocabulary, 非凡 is useful for HSK 4 and above students looking to enhance their descriptive language. Focus on using it in sentences that showcase someone's achievements or unique traits to practice context.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 非凡 with 平凡 (píng fán), leading to sentences like '他的才华平凡' (tā de cáihuá píng fán) instead of '非凡', which would incorrectly suggest the person lacks talent. Always use 非凡 when highlighting exceptional traits.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 非凡

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Component Characters

非fēito not be
HSK 78 strokes非
View full entry
凡fánordinary
HSK 73 strokes几
View full entry

How to say out of the ordinary in Chinese

“out of the ordinary” in Chinese is非凡fēifán

非凡 (fēi fán) describes something that is extraordinary or exceptional, often in terms of talent, quality, or ability. It is commonly used to commend someone for their remarkable achievements or unique characteristics, suggesting that they stand out from the norm.

When to use 非凡

非凡 is often used in formal contexts, such as speeches or writing, to praise someone's abilities. A common mistake is to confuse it with 平凡 (píng fán), which means ordinary; remember that 非凡 denotes a positive distinction. It is often collocated with words like 人才 (réncái - talent) or 成就 (chéngjiù - achievement).

非凡 or something close to it

卓越 (zhuóyuè) — use 非凡 when emphasizing uniqueness or individuality, while 卓越 focuses more on outstanding quality or performance.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 非凡 with 平凡 (píng fán), leading to sentences like '他的才华平凡' (tā de cáihuá píng fán) instead of '非凡', which would incorrectly suggest the person lacks talent. Always use 非凡 when highlighting exceptional traits.

Write 非凡

非
凡

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 非凡

Yes, 非凡 can also describe experiences, events, or even objects that stand out as exceptional.

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