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March 24, 2026
鳳fèng(feng4)
The character 鳳 (fèng) refers to the male phoenix, a mythical bird in Chinese culture that symbolizes joy, prosperity, and high virtue. It is often associated with the female phoenix, 凰 (huáng), and together they represent harmony and the union of yin and yang. This character is commonly used in cultural contexts, such as weddings and celebrations.
Strokes14Radical鳥Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the phoenix is often paired with the dragon as a symbol of marital harmony. The presence of the phoenix in decorations during weddings signifies good fortune and happiness for the couple.
Memory Tip
Imagine a majestic phoenix (鳳) soaring high in the sky, its feathers shimmering like flames. The character has a bird radical (鳥) at the bottom, and you can picture it as a 'bird of joy' flying in a vibrant sunset, helping you remember both its meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 鳳
fèng(feng4)
1male phoenix; symbol of joy
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 鳳
鳳Simplified
14Strokes
鳥Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 鳳
Podcast: 鳳
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AI Study Notes for 鳳
Quick Contrast
凰 (huáng) - use 鳳 (fèng) when referring specifically to the male phoenix, as opposed to the female counterpart.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a majestic phoenix (鳳) soaring high in the sky, its feathers shimmering like flames. The character has a bird radical (鳥) at the bottom, and you can picture it as a 'bird of joy' flying in a vibrant sunset, helping you remember both its meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 鳳 with its female counterpart, 凰, which can lead to misunderstandings in context. It is more commonly used in formal or literary contexts rather than everyday conversation. Be mindful of tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Although 鳳 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to the themes of culture and symbolism found in higher-level HSK words. Focus on understanding its cultural significance and how it relates to other characters representing birds or mythological creatures.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the phoenix is often paired with the dragon as a symbol of marital harmony. The presence of the phoenix in decorations during weddings signifies good fortune and happiness for the couple.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly use 鳳 in contexts where the female counterpart 凰 is more appropriate, such as discussing female virtues or qualities. Always check the context to ensure you are using the correct character.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鳳
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六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Simplified form of 鳳. Phonosemantic compound. 鳥 represents the meaning and 凡 represents the sound. Originally a pictograph of a mythical Chinese bird, similar to a phoenix. Later the phonetic component 凡 was added.
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Cultural Notes for 鳳
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the phoenix is often paired with the dragon as a symbol of marital harmony. The presence of the phoenix in decorations during weddings signifies good fortune and happiness for the couple.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
Unlike in many Western cultures where the phoenix is often viewed as a symbol of rebirth, in Chinese culture, the phoenix primarily represents joy, beauty, and harmony in relationships.
Word Family of 鳳
Words Containing This Character15
凤凰fènghuángFenghuang county in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture 湘西土家族苗族自治州[XiāngxīTǔjiāzúMiáozúzìzhìzhōu]鳳凰
凤fèngphoenix鳳
凤尾鱼anchovy鳳尾魚
龙凤Longfeng district of Daqing city 大慶|大庆[Dàqìng], Heilongjiang龍鳳
凤梨pineapple鳳梨
凤毛麟角fig. few and far between鳳毛麟角
凤翔Fengxiang County in Baoji 寶雞|宝鸡[Bǎojī], Shaanxi鳳翔
龙凤呈祥auspicious龍鳳呈祥
凤阳Fengyang county in Chuzhou 滁州[Chúzhōu], Anhui鳳陽
凤山Fengshan city in Taiwan鳳山
丹凤Danfeng County in Shangluo 商洛[Shāngluò], Shaanxi丹鳳
龙飞凤舞flamboyant or bold cursive calligraphy (idiom)龍飛鳳舞
凤城Fengcheng Manzu autonomous county in Liaoning鳳城
凤仙花balsam鳳仙花
凤眼elegant, almond-shaped eyes with the inner canthus pointing down and the outer canthus up, like the eye of a phoenix鳳眼
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 凤凰 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鳳
鳳 refers specifically to the male phoenix, while 凰 refers to the female phoenix, and together they symbolize harmony.
You will often find 鳳 used in literary texts, poetry, and during celebrations like weddings.
