泛泛 (fàn fàn) — in a general or superficial manner; without depth or specificity; casually; perfunctorily; not in an intimate or close way

Definition

A formal, written adverb meaning 'in a general, surface-level way' — used almost only in set phrases like 泛泛而谈 ('speak in generalities') and 泛泛之交 ('casual acquaintance'). Contrast with concrete, in-depth discussion.

adverb
in a general or superficial mannerwithout depth or specificitycasuallyperfunctorilynot in an intimate or close way

Examples

  • ，。
    Tā zhǐ shì fàn fàn ér tán, méi yǒu shēn rù tǎo lùn wèn tí.
    He only spoke in general terms and didn't discuss the issue in depth.
  • 泛泛，。
    Wǒ men zhǐ shì fàn fàn zhī jiāo, bú tài liǎo jiě duì fāng.
    We are only casual acquaintances and don't know each other well.
  • 泛泛，。
    Qǐng bú yào fàn fàn pī píng, yào tí chū jù tǐ yì jiàn.
    Please don't criticize in a general way; give specific feedback.

Origin

Reduplicated word
构词法gòucífǎ
重叠chóngdiéReduplication

A syllable said twice — for affection, for softness, or simply because that is how the word is said.

泛fàngeneral
泛fàngeneral

泛泛 repeats “泛” wide or general, giving a sense of broadness without depth.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
乏
乏fá泛fàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

泛 pairs 氵 (water) with 乏, which gives the sound.

Open 泛 →

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
氵Written in full as水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
乏
乏fá泛fàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

泛 pairs 氵 (water) with 乏, which gives the sound.

Open 泛 →

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