纷 (fēn) — (bound form) numerous and varied; disorderly; (bound form) dispute, conflict
Definition
纷 is a bound form meaning 'numerous and disorderly', almost always appearing in set compounds like 纷乱, 纷繁, and 纷争. Don't try to use it alone — pair it with another character to form the actual word.
bound form
numerous and varieddisorderlydisputeconflict
Easily confused
- 扮bànlook-aliketo dress up (as), to disguise oneself as
- 分fēnsound-alike(classifier) minute (unit of time)
- 粉fěnlook-alike(noun) powder; cosmetic powder
- 芬fēnsound-alike(bound form) fragrance; sweet smell (used in compounds such as 芬芳)
- 份fènlook-alike(classifier) for documents, newspapers, magazines, contracts, gifts, portions of food, etc.
- 酚fēnsound-alikephenol
Examples
- 。Zhè chǎng fēn zhēng zhōng yú jié shù le.This dispute has finally ended.
- 。Chéng shì de shēng huó fēn fán fù zá.City life is numerous and complicated.
- 。Tā de sī xù hěn fēn luàn.His thoughts are chaotic.
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.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 紛; 纷 is its simplified writing.
Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
The form 紛 is built from 糸, a meaning part, and 分, a sound part.
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