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飞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
飞fēito flyHSK 2, n, 3 strokes, radical 飞, rank #803, Easy
飞fēito fly, to dart; highHSK 2, n, 3 strokes, radical 飞, rank #803, Easy
fēi(fei1)fei T1
  1. 1to fly
  2. 2to fly, to dart; high
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March 24, 2026

飞(飛)fēi(fei1)

The character 飞 (fēi) means 'to fly' and is commonly used in contexts related to birds, aircraft, and the act of moving swiftly through the air. It can also imply a sense of freedom and elevation, often associated with aspirations or high ambitions.

Strokes3Radical飞Frequency#803DifficultyEasy
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, flying often symbolizes freedom and transcendence. The idea of 'flying high' is often used in motivational contexts, such as in phrases encouraging people to pursue their dreams.

Memory tip

Imagine a bird taking off into the sky, its wings spreading wide. The character 飞 resembles a bird soaring upward, and the sound 'fēi' can remind you of the wind whistling as it flies by.

Meanings of 飞

fēi(fei1)
1to fly
2to fly, to dart; high
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 飞 means.

About 飞

飞Simplified
飛Traditional
3Strokes
飞Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#803Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1YCTL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

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Podcast: 飞

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AI study notes for 飞

Quick Contrast

飞 (fēi) is used to describe the action of flying or moving through the air, often referring to birds, planes, or other objects. In contrast, 航 (háng) is used in contexts related to navigation or travel, especially by sea or air, such as in 航空 (aviation). 翔 (xiáng) implies flying in a graceful, circling manner, often used in literary contexts to describe birds.

Usage Notes

In informal contexts, 飞 can be used to describe rapid movement, such as '飞快' (fēikuài - to fly quickly). Watch out for tone mistakes, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely. Common collocations include 飞机 (fēijī - airplane) and 飞行 (fēixíng - flight).

HSK Study Tips

飞 is not included in HSK levels but is a fundamental character for beginners due to its relevance in everyday conversation. Focus on its usage in phrases related to travel and speed, and practice the pronunciation to master the tone.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 飞 with similar-sounding words, leading to mistakes like saying 'fei' instead of 'fēi'. Ensure the correct tone is used to maintain the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 飞

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Etymology of 飞

Formation typePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 飛. Pictograph of a flying bird.

Memory hint

A bird flapping its wings

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 飞?

How to say to fly in Chinese

“to fly” in Chinese is飞fēi

The character 飞 (fēi) means 'to fly' and is commonly used in contexts related to birds, aircraft, and the act of moving swiftly through the air. It can also imply a sense of freedom and elevation, often associated with aspirations or high ambitions.

When to use 飞

In informal contexts, 飞 can be used to describe rapid movement, such as '飞快' (fēikuài - to fly quickly). Watch out for tone mistakes, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely. Common collocations include 飞机 (fēijī - airplane) and 飞行 (fēixíng - flight).

飞 or something close to it

飞 (fēi) is used to describe the action of flying or moving through the air, often referring to birds, planes, or other objects. In contrast, 航 (háng) is used in contexts related to navigation or travel, especially by sea or air, such as in 航空 (aviation). 翔 (xiáng) implies flying in a graceful, circling manner, often used in literary contexts to describe birds.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 飞 with similar-sounding words, leading to mistakes like saying 'fei' instead of 'fēi'. Ensure the correct tone is used to maintain the intended meaning.

Write 飞

飞

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

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Grammar patterns of 飞

飞 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.

他坐____机回家。

He's going home by plane.

Example sentences for 飞 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我继续研究飞蛾,并将研究范围扩展到其他昆虫。

wǒ jìxù yánjiū fēi é, bìng jiāng yánjiū fànwéi kuòzhǎn dào qítā kūnchóng。

I continued studying moths, and branched out to other insects.
2
当你从内心深处找到一种可以忍受一切痛苦的坚强力量时,你的成长历程就会出现飞跃。

dāng nǐ cóng nèixīn shēnchù zhǎodào yī zhǒng kěyǐ rěnshòu yíqiè tòngkǔ de jiānqiáng lìliàng shí, nǐ de chéngzhǎng lìchéng jiù huì chūxiàn fēiyuè。

The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.--Max Lerner
3
飞机获准降落于不伦瑞克的格林科机场。

fēijī huò zhǔn jiàngluò yú bù lún ruì kè de gé lín kē jīchǎng。

The plane had been cleared for landing at Brunswick's Glynco Airport.
4
你可以近距离观察飞机的起降。

nǐ kěyǐ jìn jùlí guānchá fēijī de qǐ jiàng。

You can watch aircraft take off or land at close quarters.
5
还有几次事故主要是起飞时引擎出现故障造成的。

háiyǒu jǐ cì shìgù zhǔyào shì qǐfēi shí yǐnqíng chūxiàn gùzhàng zàochéng de。

There were also several accidents mainly caused by engine failures on take-off.
6
我及时赶上了飞往伦敦的航班。

wǒ jíshí gǎnshàng le fēi wǎng lún dūn de hángbān。

I arrived just in time for my flight to London.
7
这架喷气式飞机突然着火,急速坠地。

zhè jià pēn qì shì fēijī tūrán zháohuǒ, jí sù zhuì dì。

The jet burst into flames and plummeted to the ground.
8
机场地勤人员试图阻止这位飞行员驾机起飞。

jīchǎng dì qín rényuán shìtú zǔzhǐ zhè wèi fēixíngyuán jià Jī qǐfēi。

The airport ground crew tried to dissuade the pilot from taking off.
9
现在,这架飞机的燃料快用完了。

xiànzài, zhè jià fēijī de ránliào kuài yòng wánle。

By now the plane was running out of fuel.
10
这架飞机的部件将在世界各地制造。

zhè jià fēijī de bùjiàn jiāng zài shìjiè gèdì zhìzào。

Parts for the aircraft will be made all round the world.
11
小鸟在天空中飞来飞去。

Xiǎo niǎo zài tiānkōng zhōng fēi lái fēi qù.

The little bird is flying back and forth in the sky.
12
我坐飞机去上海。

Wǒ zuò fēijī qù Shànghǎi.

I take a plane to Shanghai.
13
这只蝴蝶飞得很高。

Zhè zhī húdié fēi de hěn gāo.

This butterfly flies very high.
14
放假时,我们去看飞机起飞。

Fàngjià shí, wǒmen qù kàn fēijī qǐfēi.

During the holiday, we go to watch the planes take off.
15
小鸟从树上飞到屋顶。

Xiǎo niǎo cóng shù shàng fēi dào wū dǐng.

The bird flew from the tree to the rooftop.
16
蜜蜂在花园里飞来飞去。

Mìfēng zài huāyuán lǐ fēi lái fēi qù.

Bees are flying around in the garden.

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Word Family of 飞

Compounds1
飛fēito fly, to dart; high
Words containing this character20
飞fēito fly飛
飞机fēijīairplane飛機
飞行fēixíngflying飛行
飞船fēichuánairship飛船
起飞qǐfēi(of an aircraft) to take off起飛
飞行员fēixíngyuánpilot飛行員
飞翔fēixiángto soar飛翔
飞龙fēilóngwyvern (type of dragon)飛龍
飞跃fēiyuèto leap飛躍
飞快fēikuàivery fast飛快
飞扬fēiyángto rise飛揚
飞速fēisùflying speed飛速
航天飞机hángtiānfēijīspace shuttle航天飛機
飞利浦fēilìpǔPhilips (company)飛利浦
直升飞机zhíshēngfēijīhelicopter直升飛機
飞越fēiyuèto fly across飛越
飞过fēiguòto fly over飛過
飞舞fēiwǔto flutter飛舞
飞奔fēibēnto rush飛奔
飞天fēitiānflying Apsara (Buddhist art)飛天
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 飞

What does 飛 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 飞

Common phrases include 飞机 (fēijī - airplane) and 飞行 (fēixíng - flight), which are essential for travel conversations.

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