粉嫩 (fěn nèn) — fair and delicate (of skin, complexion)

Definition

Used for skin that looks soft, pink, and youthful — typical of babies or young women. It is a more vivid, aesthetic word than a plain "fair," and pairs with skin, cheeks, or face (not things or people in general).

adjective
fair and delicate (of skin, complexion)

Examples

  • 粉嫩。
    Tā de pí fū hěn fěn nèn.
    Her skin is very fair and delicate.
  • 粉嫩。
    Zhè zhǒng miàn shuāng néng ràng jī fū biàn de fěn nèn.
    This cream can make the skin become fair and delicate.
  • 粉嫩,。
    Xiǎo yīng ér de liǎn dàn fěn nèn de, tè bié kě ài.
    The baby's cheeks are fair and delicate, especially cute.

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.

粉fěnpink/white
嫩nèntender

粉 (pink/white) and 嫩 (tender) describe fair, delicate skin.

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
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
分
分fēn粉fěn
Same sound today

粉 pairs 米 (rice) with 分 for its sound. The rice part points to face powder made from rice.

Open 粉 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 嫩 →

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