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风 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
风fēngwindHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 风, rank #1507, Medium
风fēngnewsHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 风, rank #1507, Medium
风fēngstyleHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 风, rank #1507, Medium
风fēngcustomHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 风, rank #1507, Medium
风fēngmannerHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 风, rank #1507, Medium
风fēngwind; air; customs, manners; newsHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 风, rank #1507, Medium
fēng(feng1) T1
  1. 1wind
  2. 2news
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

风(風)fēng(feng1)

The character 风 (fēng) primarily means 'wind,' but it can also refer to 'news,' 'style,' 'custom,' or 'manner.' It is commonly used to describe both natural phenomena and metaphorical concepts such as trends or social customs.

Strokes4Radical风Frequency#1507DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, wind is often associated with change and is featured in many idioms and poetry, symbolizing the transient nature of life and seasons. For example, 风筝 (fēngzheng) means 'kite,' which is traditionally flown during festivals.

Memory Tip

Imagine a big gust of wind blowing through a field, swirling leaves around. The character 风 looks like a flowing breeze, which helps you remember that it represents 'wind.' You can also think of 'fēng' as sounding similar to 'fang' in English, as if the wind is 'fang-ing' through the trees.

Meanings of 风

fēng(feng1)
1wind
2news
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 风

风Simplified
風Traditional
4Strokes
风Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1507Frequency Rank
阵Measure Word
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL1YCTL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 风

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Podcast: 风

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 风

Quick Contrast

风 (fēng) vs 气 (qì) — choose 风 when referring specifically to 'wind' or metaphorical 'style,' while 气 relates more broadly to 'air,' 'energy,' or 'vitality.'

Usage Notes

Be careful with the tone; 'fēng' (wind) has a high level tone, which can be confused with other characters. It's often used in phrases like 风景 (fēngjǐng, scenery) and 风格 (fēnggé, style), which are both useful in everyday conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 风 is not on the official HSK list, it is a fundamental character that will help learners understand more complex terms related to weather and culture. Try to connect this word with other HSK vocabulary related to nature and social interactions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 风 (fēng) with similar-sounding words. For example, confusing it with 逢 (féng, to meet) can lead to incorrect usage in sentences. Always remember to use the correct tone and context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 风

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Etymology of 风

Explanation

Simplified form of 風. Originally written the same as 鳳 (phoenix) because the two characters sounded the same. Later the bottom part of the character was abbreviated to distinguish the two characters.

Learn more about character formation (六书)

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 风

Simplified form of 風. Originally written the same as 鳳 (phoenix) because the two characters sounded the same. Later the bottom part of the character was abbreviated to distinguish the two characters.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 风? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.

Decomposition of 风

IDS Structure⿵几乂
风Full Character
=
几ji1
enclosing
乂yi4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 风?

How to say wind in Chinese

“wind” in Chinese is风fēng

The character 风 (fēng) primarily means 'wind,' but it can also refer to 'news,' 'style,' 'custom,' or 'manner.' It is commonly used to describe both natural phenomena and metaphorical concepts such as trends or social customs.

When to use 风

Be careful with the tone; 'fēng' (wind) has a high level tone, which can be confused with other characters. It's often used in phrases like 风景 (fēngjǐng, scenery) and 风格 (fēnggé, style), which are both useful in everyday conversation.

风 or something close to it

风 (fēng) vs 气 (qì) — choose 风 when referring specifically to 'wind' or metaphorical 'style,' while 气 relates more broadly to 'air,' 'energy,' or 'vitality.'

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 风 (fēng) with similar-sounding words. For example, confusing it with 逢 (féng, to meet) can lead to incorrect usage in sentences. Always remember to use the correct tone and context.

Write 风

风

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 风

风 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 6 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

应该将盛行____的方向考虑在内。

The direction of the prevailing winds should be taken into account.

Common Confusions with 风

风vs香
xiāng

Similar sound and shape but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "wind"?

or

Example Sentences for 风 (13)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
nwind10
1
应该将盛行风的方向考虑在内。

yīng gāi jiāng shèng háng fēng de fāng xiàng kǎo lǜ zài nèi。

The direction of the prevailing winds should be taken into account.
2
你须得忍受格蕾丝心不在焉的作风。

nǐ xū dé rěn shòu gé lěi sī xīn bù zài yān de zuò fēng。

You will have to put up with Grace's absent-mindedness.
3
你不觉得她有点太附庸风雅了吗?

nǐ bù jué dé tā yǒu diǎn tài fù yōng fēng yǎ le ma?

Didn't you find her a little bit too arty?
4
窗户外边是一块草地,高高的草随风摇摆。

chuāng hù wài biān shì yī kuài cǎo dì, , gāo gāo de cǎo suí fēng yáo。

The windows overlooked a lawn of tall waving grass.
5
不幸的是,容易感冒是这个行业的职业性风险。

bù xìng de shì, , róng yì gǎn mào shì zhè gè háng yè de zhí yè xìng fēng。

Catching colds is unfortunately an occupational hazard in this profession.
6
要慢慢地打探他的口风,要确保是他的心里话。

yào màn màn dì dǎ tàn tā de kǒu fēng, , yào què bǎo shì tā de xīn lǐ。

Sound him out gradually. Make sure it is what he really wants.
7
最猛烈的暴风雨就要来了。

zuì měng liè de bào fēng yǔ jiù yào lái le。

The worst of the storm is yet to come.
8
孕期并非一帆风顺,这不,又出现问题了。

yùn qī bìng fēi yī fān fēng shùn, , zhè, bù , yòu chū xiàn wèn。

Pregnancy wasn't all plain sailing and once again there were problems.
9
这座宫殿完全是各种建筑风格的大杂烩。

zhè zuò gōng diàn wán quán shì gè zhǒng jiàn zhù fēng gé de dà zá huì。

The palace is a complete hotch-potch of architectural styles.
10
这是他行文风格轻松活泼的作品中最出色的作品之一。

zhè shì tā háng wén fēng gé qīng sōng huó pō de zuò pǐn zhōng zuì chū sè de zuò pǐn zhī yī。

It is one of his finest works in a lighter vein.
nnews3
11
最近有风说他们要搬到国外去。

Zuìjìn yǒu fēng shuō tāmen yào bān dào guówài qù.

There's news recently that they are moving abroad.
12
听说有风指他们公司要裁员。

Tīng shuō yǒu fēng zhǐ tāmen gōngsī yào cáiyuán.

I heard there's news that their company is going to lay off employees.
13
小王收到了风,说学校要放假了。

Xiǎo Wáng shōudào le fēng, shuō xuéxiào yào fàngjià le.

Xiao Wang got news that the school is going to have a holiday.

Cultural Notes for 风

💡Did you know?

'风' is not only used to describe weather but also in phrases like '风俗' (custom) and '风格' (style), showing its cultural significance in expressing societal norms and artistic styles.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, wind is often associated with change or transition, whereas in Chinese culture, '风' can symbolize good fortune when it brings favorable weather for agriculture.

Word Family of 风

Compounds18
疯feng1insane
讽feng3to satirize
飘piao1variant of 飄
飙biao1whirlwind (1)
飓ju4cyclone, gale, typhoon
枫feng1maple tree
飚biao1whirlwind (2)
飕sou1a chill breeze; to blow; the sound of the wind
岚lan2mountain mist, mountain haze
飒sa4bleak; melancholy; the howl of the wind
砜feng1sulfone
飏
飐zhan3to sway in the wind
飑biao1storm, whirlwind
飔
飖yao2floating in the air; drifting on the wind
飗
沨
Words Containing This Character20
风fēngwind風
风险fēngxiǎnrisk風險
风格fēnggéstyle風格
风景fēngjǐngscenery風景
风暴fēngbàostorm風暴
作风zuòfēngstyle作風
风情fēngqíngmien風情
飓风hurricane颶風
风趣fēngqùcharm風趣
风光fēngguāngscene風光
麦克风màikèfēngmicrophone (loanword)麥克風
风云fēngyúnweather風雲
台风táifēnghurricane颱風
微风breeze微風
中风to suffer a paralyzing stroke中風
风声rumor風聲
龙卷风tornado龍捲風
通风tōngfēngairy通風
风尚fēngshàngcurrent custom風尚
暴风雨bàofēngyǔrainstorm暴風雨
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 疯 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 风

风 (fēng) means 'wind' or 'style', while 风俗 (fēngsú) refers specifically to 'customs' or 'traditions'. The latter compound term emphasizes social practices, while 风 can be used more broadly in different contexts. Understanding this distinction helps in using these terms accurately.

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