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纷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
纷fēnnumerousd, 7 strokes, radical 纟, rank #24606, Hard
纷fēnconfusedd, 7 strokes, radical 纟, rank #24606, Hard
纷fēndisorderlyd, 7 strokes, radical 纟, rank #24606, Hard
纷fēntangled, scattered; numerous, confusedd, 7 strokes, radical 纟, rank #24606, Hard
fēn(fen1) T1
  1. 1numerous
  2. 2confused
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March 24, 2026
纷(紛)fēn(fen1)

The character 纷 (fēn) conveys a sense of numerousness or confusion, often describing a situation where things are scattered, tangled, or disorderly. It is commonly used in contexts like 纷纷 (fēnfēn), meaning 'one after another' or 'in droves', to depict a flurry of activity or events.

Strokes7Radical纟Frequency#24606DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 纷 can be related to the concept of chaos, especially in historical contexts like the Warring States period, when numerous factions were in constant conflict, resulting in a tangled state of affairs.

Memory Tip

Imagine a flock of birds (纷) scattering in all directions, creating a chaotic scene. The radical 斤 suggests cutting or dividing, which can help you remember how things are split apart and confused.

Meanings of 纷

fēn(fen1)
1numerous
2confused
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 纷

纷Simplified
紛Traditional
7Strokes
纟Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#24606Frequency Rank

Podcast: 纷

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Podcast: 纷

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AI Study Notes for 纷

Quick Contrast

纷 (fēn) vs 杂 (zá) — use 纷 for a sense of numerousness or confusion in activity, while 杂 emphasizes mixed or jumbled elements.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a flock of birds (纷) scattering in all directions, creating a chaotic scene. The radical 斤 suggests cutting or dividing, which can help you remember how things are split apart and confused.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of using 纷 in contexts where confusion or disorder is explicitly mentioned, as it may not be suitable in formal writing. Common collocations include 纷纷 (fēnfēn) and 纷杂 (fēnzá). Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 纷 is not included in the official HSK levels, it can be associated with HSK 4 vocabulary like 复杂 (fùzá, 'complex') and 乱 (luàn, 'chaos'). Focus on understanding its context in describing disorderly situations.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 纷 can be related to the concept of chaos, especially in historical contexts like the Warring States period, when numerous factions were in constant conflict, resulting in a tangled state of affairs.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 纷 with 纷乱 (fēnluàn), which is a more intense form of disorder. Remember that 纷 can stand alone, while 纷乱 emphasizes chaotic situations even more.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 纷

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Etymology of 纷

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 分 represents the sound. Simplified form of 紛.

Memory Hint

thread

Semantic (meaning)纟
+
Phonetic (sound)分
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 纷?

Decomposition of 纷

IDS Structure⿰纟分
纷Full Character
=
纟si1
left
分fen1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 纷?

Write 纷

纷

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

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Grammar Patterns of 纷

纷 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. 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.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

风停了，下起雨来，于是人们____纷打起了雨伞。

The wind stopped and it started to rain, so people opened their umbrellas one after another.

Example Sentences for 纷 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我想让门前的花园变得五彩缤纷。

wǒ xiǎng ràng mén qián de huā yuán biàn dé wǔ cǎi bīn fēn。

I wanted the front garden to be a blaze of colour.
2
这类纠纷在18和19世纪大量增多。

zhè lèi jiū fēn zài18 1819 hé 19 shì jì dà liáng。

Such disputes multiplied in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
3
但在其他商店纷纷关门倒闭之时，大型超市的强劲扩张势头却依旧不减。

dàn zài qí tā shāng diàn fēn fēn guān mén dǎo bì zhī shí， ， dà xíng chāo shì de qiáng jìn kuò zhāng shì tóu què yī jiù bù。

But as other shops fold, the march of the superstores continues.
4
这4个省被严重的家族和部族纷争弄得四分五裂。

zhè4 4 gè shěng bèi yán zhòng de jiā zú hé bù zú fēn zhēng nòng dé sì fēn wǔ。

The four provinces are riven by deep family and tribal conflicts.
5
在暴乱中成百上千的人纷纷趁机偷窃财物。

zài bào luàn zhōng chéng bǎi shàng qiān de rén fēn fēn chèn jī tōu qiè cái wù。

During the riots hundreds of people seized the opportunity to steal property.
6
那是布鲁塞尔国际贸易谈判中纷乱的一天。

nà shì bù lǔ sāi ěr guó jì mào yì tán pàn zhōng fēn luàn de yī tiān。

It's been a tumultuous day at the international trade negotiations in Brussels.
7
这场纠纷可能会让澳大利亚劳资关系稳定这一来之不易的名声毁于一旦。

zhè cháng jiū fēn kě néng huì ràng ào dà lì yà láo zī guān xì wěn dìng zhè yī lái zhī bù yì de míng shēng huǐ yú yī dàn。

The dispute could destroy Australia's hard-won reputation for industrial stability.
8
他正在想办法摆脱这一纷争。

tā zhèng zài xiǎng bàn fǎ bǎi tuō zhè yī fēn zhēng。

He's looking for a way out from this conflict.
9
灌木树篱和草地中开满了五彩缤纷的野花。

guàn mù shù lí hé cǎo dì zhōng kāi mǎn le wǔ cǎi bīn fēn de yě huā。

Hedgerows and meadows are thick with a tapestry of wild flowers.
10
洛贝尔冒着纷飞的大雪不停地往前开。

luò bèi ěr mào zháo fēn fēi de dà xuě bù tíng dì wǎng qián kāi。

Lobell drove on and on through the dense and blowing snow.

Cultural Notes for 纷

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, 纷 can be related to the concept of chaos, especially in historical contexts like the Warring States period, when numerous factions were in constant conflict, resulting in a tangled state of affairs.

Word Family of 纷

Words Containing This Character20
纷纷fēnfēnone after another紛紛
纠纷jiūfēndispute糾紛
纷争to dispute紛爭
纷fēnnumerous紛
缤纷bīnfēnvast and various繽紛
议论纷纷tongues are wagging議論紛紛
纷飞to flutter about紛飛
纷至沓来to come thick and fast (idiom)紛至沓來
纷乱numerous and disorderly紛亂
五彩缤纷all the colors in profusion (idiom); a garish display五彩繽紛
纷繁numerous and complicated紛繁
众说纷纭opinions differ (idiom)眾說紛紜
纷扰turmoil紛擾
纷呈brilliant and varied紛呈
色彩缤纷all the colors in profusion (idiom); a garish display色彩繽紛
纷纷扬扬fluttering about (of leaves etc)紛紛揚揚
战火纷飞fire of war everywhere (idiom); enveloped in the flames of war戰火紛飛
纷纭diverse and muddled紛紜
纷杂in a mess紛雜
五色缤纷all the colors in profusion (idiom); a garish display五色繽紛
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 纷纷 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 纷

In a sentence, 纷 can describe a situation like 'people are coming and going in a confusing manner' (人们纷纷而来).