奉 (fèng) — (formal) to offer or present respectfully (as in 奉献, 奉送); (formal) to receive respectfully (orders, instructions; as in 奉命); (formal) to revere; to worship (as in 信奉, 奉行)
Definition
奉 (fèng) is a formal/literary verb used in set phrases like 奉献, 奉命, 信奉, and 奉劝. It always appears in compounds — rarely used alone — and carries a respectful, reverent tone.
verb
(formal) to offer or present respectfully (as in 奉献, 奉送)(formal) to receive respectfully (orders, instructions; as in 奉命)(formal) to revereto worship (as in 信奉, 奉行)
Easily confused
- 泰tàilook-alikepeace, calm
- 缝fèngsound-alikeseam; crack; narrow slit
- 捧pěnglook-alike(verb) to hold (something) in cupped hands; to offer with both hands
- 缝fèngsound-alikecrack, fissure
- 棒bànglook-alike(adjective) great, awesome, wonderful
- 凤fèngsound-alikephoenix (mythical bird symbolizing grace and virtue in Chinese culture)
Examples
- 。Tā xiàng tú shū guǎn fèng xiàn le zì jǐ de cáng shū.He donated his personal collection to the library.
- 。Wǒ men fèng mìng qián wǎng zāi qū zhī yuán.We received orders to go and support the disaster area.
- 。Wǒ fèng quàn nǐ sān sī ér xíng.I advise you to think twice before acting.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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
廾廾gǒngtwo hands
奉 pairs 丰 for the pronunciation with 廾, 'two hands', as the meaning part.
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