锋 (fēng) — sharp edge or point (of a blade, knife, etc.); vanguard, forefront (e.g., 先锋, 冲锋); front (e.g., 前锋, 前沿)
Definition
A bound form (never used alone) referring to a blade's sharp edge or to the leading edge of an action — appears in compounds like 先锋 ('vanguard') and 冲锋 ('charge'). Pick 锋 when the meaning involves cutting edges or a forward/leading position.
bound form
sharp edge or point (of a blade, knife, etc.)vanguardforefront (e.g., 先锋, 冲锋)front (e.g., 前锋, 前沿)
Examples
- 。Zhè bǎ dāo de dāo fēng yǐ jīng dùn le.The edge of this knife has become dull.
- 。Qián fēng tī jìn le liǎng gè qiú.The forward scored two goals.
- 。Tā dài tóu chōng fēng.He led the charge.
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 鋒; 锋 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
夆
夆páng鋒fēng
Same sound today
The traditional form 鋒 pairs 金 (metal) with a sound part 夆; the simplified 锋 is a shorthand.
Appears in
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