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March 24, 2026
废(廢)fèi(fei4)
The character 废 (fèi) primarily means to abolish or discard something. It is commonly used in contexts where something is rendered useless or no longer needed, such as in legal or administrative terms. The nuance often implies a sense of waste or abandonment, suggesting that the discarded item or concept is no longer of value.
Strokes8Radical广Frequency#5308DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of waste and recycling is significant, especially in urban areas where environmental issues are increasingly highlighted. The term 废物 (waste) often comes up in discussions about sustainability and environmental protection.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant piece of paper (the character's structure) being crumpled up and thrown away, symbolizing something that is废 (fèi) or discarded. The '废' resembles a building (the radical) being abandoned, emphasizing the idea of something being left behind.
Meanings of 废
fèi(fei4)
1to abolish
2to abandon
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 废
废Simplified
廢Traditional
8Strokes
广Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#5308Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 废
Podcast: 废
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AI Study Notes for 废
Quick Contrast
废 (fèi) vs 毁 (huǐ): Choose 废 when emphasizing the act of discarding something as useless, while 毁 implies destruction or ruining something.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant piece of paper (the character's structure) being crumpled up and thrown away, symbolizing something that is废 (fèi) or discarded. The '废' resembles a building (the radical) being abandoned, emphasizing the idea of something being left behind.
Usage Notes
When using 废, be aware of its various meanings based on context; for example, it can imply legal abolition or the physical act of discarding. It's typically used in more formal contexts, such as policies or regulations, and collocates with words like '废止' (to abolish) and '废物' (waste). One common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding words; careful pronunciation of the fourth tone is crucial.
HSK Study Tips
Although 废 is not in the HSK list, it is useful for learners at the intermediate level, connecting with words related to waste and disposal. Students should focus on its various usages and practice phrases like '废弃物' (waste material) to enhance their vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of waste and recycling is significant, especially in urban areas where environmental issues are increasingly highlighted. The term 废物 (waste) often comes up in discussions about sustainability and environmental protection.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 废 in informal settings where simpler terms might suffice, such as saying '我废掉这个' (I废 this) instead of '我扔掉这个' (I throw this away). Also, learners often mispronounce it as 'féi' instead of 'fèi'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 废
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Grammar Patterns of 废
废 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 12 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.
If you're going to do it, do it thoroughly — don't give up halfway.
Common Confusions with 废
废vs费
fèi
Similar pronunciation and structure but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to abolish"?
or
Usage Notes for 废
Confusion with FeesCommon Error
Learners often confuse 废 with 费 due to similar pronunciation. It's important to remember that 废 relates to discarding or abolishing, while 费 pertains to spending or costs.
1
不要浪费时间。
Don't waste time.
Example Sentences for 废 (10)
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1
全国的核武器工厂均受到了有毒废弃物的严重污染。
quán guó de hé wǔ qì gōng chǎng jūn shòu dào le yǒu dú fèi qì wù de yán zhòng wū rǎn。
Nuclear weapons plants across the country are heavily contaminated with toxic wastes.
The junk market has been unsettled for the past seven months.
8
诺曼人建造了这座后来在克伦威尔统治时期变成废墟的城堡。
nuò màn rén jiàn zào le zhè zuò hòu lái zài kè lún wēi ěr tǒng zhì shí qī biàn chéng fèi xū de chéng bǎo。
The Normans built the castle which was reduced to ruins under Cromwell.
9
那座城市的街道肮脏不堪，弥漫着令人窒息的废气。
nà zuò chéng shì de jiē dào āng zāng bù kān， ， mí màn zháo líng rén zhì xī de fèi。
The city's streets are filthy and choked with exhaust fumes.
10
那是一堆枯燥乏味、毫无幽默感的废话。
nà shì yī duī kū zào fá wèi、 、 háo wú yōu mò gǎn de fèi。
It is a tedious, humourless load of crap.
Cultural Notes for 废
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of waste and recycling is significant, especially in urban areas where environmental issues are increasingly highlighted. The term 废物 (waste) often comes up in discussions about sustainability and environmental protection.
Word Family of 废
Words Containing This Character20
废话fèihuànonsense廢話
废fèito abolish廢
废物fèiwùrubbish廢物
废弃to discard廢棄
废墟fèixūruins廢墟
废除fèichúto abolish廢除
作废zuòfèito cancel作廢
废品fèipǐnseconds廢品
报废bàofèito scrap報廢
废水waste water廢水
颓废tuífèidecadent頹廢
残废deformity殘廢
废旧worn out廢舊
废纸waste paper廢紙
荒废wasted荒廢
废气exhaust gas廢氣
废料refuse廢料
半途而废bàntú’érfèito give up halfway (idiom); leave sth unfinished半途而廢
废止to repeal (a law)廢止
窝囊废wimp窩囊廢
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 废话 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 废
Synonyms for 废 (fèi) include 丢弃 (diūqì), meaning 'to discard,' and 放弃 (fàngqì), meaning 'to give up.' These words convey similar meanings of abandonment or removal but can be used in different contexts.
Yes, 废 (fèi) is used in modern Chinese, particularly in legal and formal contexts. It is commonly found in discussions about policies, regulations, and the process of discarding outdated practices.
废 (fèi) refers to the concepts of abolishing, abandoning, or discarding something. It can also mean to depose or oust someone from a position. This character is often used in contexts involving the rejection or elimination of laws, policies, or ideas.
You can use 废 (fèi) in a sentence to express the idea of discarding or abolishing something. For example, '我们已经废除了旧规定' (Wǒmen yǐjīng fèichúle jiù guīdìng), which means 'We have abolished the old regulations.' This shows how the character can convey the action of removing or invalidating something.
Some common phrases include '废物' (waste), '废弃' (abandoned), and '废除' (abolish).
While it is more common in formal contexts, it can also be used in everyday conversation when discussing waste or abandoned items.
It is pronounced 'fèi' with a fourth tone, so make sure to emphasize the falling tone.
