HSK 7, v, 9 strokes, radical 疒, rank #511, Very Hard
疯
fēng
mad
HSK 7, v, 9 strokes, radical 疒, rank #511, Very Hard
疯
fēng
wild
HSK 7, v, 9 strokes, radical 疒, rank #511, Very Hard
疯
fēng
crazy, insane, mentally ill
HSK 7, v, 9 strokes, radical 疒, rank #511, Very Hard
fēng(feng1) T1
1insane
2mad
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March 24, 2026
疯(瘋)fēng(feng1)
The character 疯 (fēng) means 'crazy' or 'insane' and is often used to describe someone who is mentally unstable or behaves in an erratic manner. It can also imply wildness or excessive enthusiasm in informal contexts, such as 'going crazy' over a trend or activity.
Strokes9Radical疒Frequency#511DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, mental health is often a sensitive topic, and terms like 疯 can carry a stigma. Historically, the concept of madness was viewed differently, with some historical figures being revered for their eccentricities.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wild dog (the radical 疒, meaning illness) running around, barking crazily at everything. 'Fēng' sounds like 'fing' in 'fing crazy', connecting the sound of the word to its wild meaning.
Meanings of 疯
fēng(feng1)
1insane
2mad
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 疯
疯Simplified
瘋Traditional
9Strokes
疒Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#511Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 疯
Podcast: 疯
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AI Study Notes for 疯
Quick Contrast
狂 (kuáng) - use 疯 (fēng) for someone showing erratic behavior, while 狂 (kuáng) often emphasizes extreme intensity or wildness.
Usage Notes
This word is typically used in informal contexts and can be considered derogatory when referring to someone's mental state. Be cautious of tone, as the first tone (fēng) is the correct pronunciation; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Although 疯 is not in the official HSK level vocabulary, it is useful for intermediate learners who want to express emotions or states of mind. Students should focus on recognizing it in sentences and understanding its usage with adjectives and verbs.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 疯 (fēng) with 疯狂 (fēngkuáng), thinking they are interchangeable. However, 疯 is more about insanity, while 疯狂 conveys a sense of wildness or craziness in behavior.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 疯
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Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 风 represents the sound. Simplified form of 瘋.
1The meaning half疒 carries the sense.
2The sound half风 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaysickness
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 疯? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 疯?
Decomposition of 疯
IDS Structure⿸疒风
疯Full Character
=
疒ne4
enclosing
风feng1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 疯?
How to say insane in Chinese
“insane” in Chinese is疯fēng
The character 疯 (fēng) means 'crazy' or 'insane' and is often used to describe someone who is mentally unstable or behaves in an erratic manner. It can also imply wildness or excessive enthusiasm in informal contexts, such as 'going crazy' over a trend or activity.
When to use 疯
This word is typically used in informal contexts and can be considered derogatory when referring to someone's mental state. Be cautious of tone, as the first tone (fēng) is the correct pronunciation; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
疯 or something close to it
狂 (kuáng) - use 疯 (fēng) for someone showing erratic behavior, while 狂 (kuáng) often emphasizes extreme intensity or wildness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 疯 (fēng) with 疯狂 (fēngkuáng), thinking they are interchangeable. However, 疯 is more about insanity, while 疯狂 conveys a sense of wildness or craziness in behavior.
Write 疯
疯
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Practice writing 疯 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 疯
疯 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 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
Complete the Sentence
乔克醒来发现你走了，他简直气____了。
When Jock woke up and found you gone he went crazy.
Common Confusions with 疯
疯vs风
fēng
Similar pronunciation but different meanings.
疯 (fēng) is an adjective meaning 'mad' or 'crazy', while 疯子 (fēngzi) is a noun meaning 'madman' or 'crazy person'.
1
他疯了 (Tā fēngle) means 'He is crazy', while 他是个疯子 (Tā shì gè fēngzi) means 'He is a madman'.
疯 (fēng) is an adjective meaning 'mad' or 'crazy', while 疯子 (fēngzi) is a noun meaning 'madman' or 'crazy person'.
💡Remember that adding '子' turns the adjective into a noun.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "insane"?
or
Usage Notes for 疯
Misuse of 疯 in colloquial speechCommon Error
Learners may confuse 疯 with other similar adjectives like '狂' (kuáng), which means 'wild' or 'frenzied'.
疯 (fēng) refers to being insane or mad, while 疯狂 (fēngkuáng) translates to 'crazy' or 'wild' and can imply a more extreme or uncontrollable state. While both terms can describe mental instability, 疯狂 often carries a connotation of wildness or extreme behavior.
疯 (fēng) means 'insane' or 'mad' in Chinese. It can also be used to describe something that is wild or uncontrollable. The character can be found in various contexts, often relating to mental health or extreme behavior.
To use 疯 (fēng) in a sentence, you can say '他疯了' (tā fēng le), which means 'He has gone mad.' It can also be used in phrases like '疯子' (fēngzi), meaning 'madman' or 'crazy person.' Use it carefully, as it can be a sensitive term.
No, 疯 is typically used in informal contexts and can be seen as disrespectful when referring to someone's mental health.
Yes, in informal settings, you can use 疯 to describe someone going wild or crazy over something, like a popular event.
Common phrases include 疯狂 (fēngkuáng), meaning 'crazy' or 'wild', which is often used in advertising or to describe intense situations.
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