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楓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
楓fēngmaple treex, 13 strokes, radical 木
fēng(feng1) T1
  1. 1maple tree
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

楓fēng(feng1)

The character 楓 (fēng) refers specifically to the maple tree, known for its vibrant fall colors and distinctive leaf shape. It is commonly used in discussions about nature, landscaping, and traditional cultural references, particularly in poetry and art where the beauty of maple trees is celebrated.

Strokes13Radical木
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the maple tree is associated with beauty and transience, often featured in artworks and poetry that evoke feelings of nostalgia during the autumn season, particularly in regions like Japan and China where maple viewing is a cherished activity.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'fung' (like a fun party) under a large maple tree with its iconic red leaves falling all around. The character 楓 has the radical 木 (wood) on the left, reminding you that it is a type of tree, while the right side resembles a person enjoying the beauty of nature.

Meanings of 楓

fēng(feng1)
1maple tree
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 楓

楓Simplified
13Strokes
木Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 楓

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Podcast: 楓

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AI Study Notes for 楓

Quick Contrast

枫 (fēng) vs 榉 (jǔ) — use 楓 when referring specifically to maple trees, while 榉 refers to the zelkova tree.

Usage Notes

Be careful to use the correct tone when pronouncing 楓 (fēng), as mixing it with similar-sounding words can lead to confusion. This word is more commonly used in literary or poetic contexts rather than in everyday conversation, so be mindful of register when using it.

HSK Study Tips

Although 楓 is not currently listed in HSK levels, it connects with other nature-related vocabulary that learners at different levels encounter. Focus on recognizing its structure and how it might appear in longer phrases or texts related to autumn or nature.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 楓 (fēng) with other tree-related characters, mistakenly using 樹 (shù, tree) instead. For example, saying '我喜欢樹' (Wǒ xǐhuān shù, 'I like trees') instead of '我喜欢楓' (Wǒ xǐhuān fēng, 'I like maple trees') loses the specific meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 楓

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Etymology of 楓

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 风 represents the sound. Simplified form of 楓.

Memory Hint

tree

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)風
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 楓

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 风 represents the sound. Simplified form of 楓.

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half風 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaytree
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 楓? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 楓?

Decomposition of 楓

IDS Structure⿰木風
楓Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
風feng1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 楓?

How to say maple tree in Chinese

“maple tree” in Chinese is楓fēng

The character 楓 (fēng) refers specifically to the maple tree, known for its vibrant fall colors and distinctive leaf shape. It is commonly used in discussions about nature, landscaping, and traditional cultural references, particularly in poetry and art where the beauty of maple trees is celebrated.

When to use 楓

Be careful to use the correct tone when pronouncing 楓 (fēng), as mixing it with similar-sounding words can lead to confusion. This word is more commonly used in literary or poetic contexts rather than in everyday conversation, so be mindful of register when using it.

楓 or something close to it

枫 (fēng) vs 榉 (jǔ) — use 楓 when referring specifically to maple trees, while 榉 refers to the zelkova tree.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 楓 (fēng) with other tree-related characters, mistakenly using 樹 (shù, tree) instead. For example, saying '我喜欢樹' (Wǒ xǐhuān shù, 'I like trees') instead of '我喜欢楓' (Wǒ xǐhuān fēng, 'I like maple trees') loses the specific meaning.

Write 楓

楓

Practice writing 楓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 楓

Words Containing This Character5
枫fēngmaple (genus Acer)楓
枫叶maple leaf楓葉
枫树maple楓樹
枫木maple楓木
八角枫alangium八角楓
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 枫 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 楓

楓 means 'maple tree' in English.

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