纷繁 (fēn fán) — numerous and complicated; complex and diverse

Definition

A formal/literary adjective meaning 'numerous and tangled, complex and diverse' — typically describes information, reasons, or choices that feel overwhelming. More written than everyday 复杂.

adjective
numerous and complicatedcomplex and diverse

Examples

  • 纷繁。
    Zhè ge wèn tí de yuán yīn shí fēn fēn fán.
    The reasons for this problem are numerous and complicated.
  • 纷繁，。
    Xiàn dài shè huì de xìn xī fēn fán fù zá, xū yào zǐ xì fēn biàn.
    The information in modern society is numerous and complex, requiring careful discernment.
  • 纷繁，。
    Miàn duì fēn fán de xuǎn xiàng, tā yì shí bù zhī rú hé xuǎn zé.
    Faced with numerous and complicated options, he didn't know how to choose for a moment.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

纷fēnmany
繁fánnumerous

'纷' suggests many or messy and '繁' suggests numerous or complicated, together giving complex diversity.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 紛; 纷 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
分
分fēn紛fēn
Same sound today

The form 紛 is built from 糸, a meaning part, and 分, a sound part.

Open 纷 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìsilk
Sound part声符shēngfú
敏
敏mǐn繁fán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

繁 pairs 敏, a sound part, with 糸, meaning silk.

Open 繁 →

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