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March 24, 2026
奉fèng(feng4)
The character 奉 (fèng) primarily means to offer, present, or pay tribute, often in a respectful manner towards superiors, ancestors, or deities. It conveys a sense of reverence and duty, commonly used in formal contexts such as ceremonies and rituals, where respect and esteem are paramount.
Strokes8Radical大Frequency#6597DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, offering tribute to ancestors during festivals like Qingming or Ching Ming Festival is a crucial practice, demonstrating the respect embodied in the character 奉. This act reinforces familial bonds and the importance of honoring past generations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a servant (the radical '奉' resembles a person) offering a gift (the meaning of 'to offer') in a grand ceremony. Visualize this servant bowing respectfully (fèng) while presenting the gift to a superior, reinforcing the character's connection to respect and honoring tradition.
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AI Study Notes for 奉
Quick Contrast
奉 (fèng) vs 送 (sòng) — use 奉 for respectful offerings to superiors or deities, while 送 refers to giving or sending something to someone.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a servant (the radical '奉' resembles a person) offering a gift (the meaning of 'to offer') in a grand ceremony. Visualize this servant bowing respectfully (fèng) while presenting the gift to a superior, reinforcing the character's connection to respect and honoring tradition.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 奉 with similar verbs like 送 (sòng, to send) or 提供 (tígōng, to provide). It's important to use 奉 in formal situations when addressing or presenting to someone of higher status. Pay attention to the politeness level when incorporating it into conversations.
HSK Study Tips
While 奉 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is relevant for HSK 5 and above due to its formal usage in contexts involving respect. Students should focus on its combinations with other words, such as 奉献 (fèngxiàn, to contribute) and understand its applications in both spoken and written Chinese.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, offering tribute to ancestors during festivals like Qingming or Ching Ming Festival is a crucial practice, demonstrating the respect embodied in the character 奉. This act reinforces familial bonds and the importance of honoring past generations.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly use 奉 in informal contexts, such as casual greetings or small talk. For example, saying '我奉你' (I offer you) is incorrect; instead, use more casual language appropriate for the situation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 奉
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Grammar Patterns of 奉
奉 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我再也无可____告了，这本是重大的秘密。
I can't say any more, it's meant to be a big secret.
At the shrine of the god there were offerings, libations and incense.
6
因为信奉拉斯塔法里教，他拒绝剪去头发。
yīn wéi xìn fèng lā sī tǎ fǎ lǐ jiào， ， tā jù jué jiǎn qù tóu。
He refused to cut his hair due to his Rastafarian beliefs.
7
全都是些部长们常说的骗人鬼话和少不了的奉承恭维。
quán dū shì xiē bù cháng mén cháng shuō de piàn rén guǐ huà hé shǎo bù le de fèng chéng gōng wéi。
There was all the usual humbug and obligatory compliments from ministers.
8
他的同学们发现他太爱奉承了。
tā de tóng xué mén fā xiàn tā tài ài fèng chéng le。
His fellow students had found him too ingratiating.
9
现在呢, 因为“老东西”——这是秀才的妻叫秀才的名字——趋奉了她, 就装着娇滴滴的样子了.
xiàn zài ne, , yīn“ wéi “ lǎo”—— dōng xī ”—— zhè shì xiù cái de qī jiào xiù cái—— de míng zì ——, qū fèng le tā , jiù zhuāng zháo jiāo dī.
Now, with the old man fawning on her, she puts on airs.
10
校队队长被低年级的男孩子奉若神明.
xiào duì duì cháng bèi dī nián jí de nán hái zǐ fèng ruò shén míng.
The school captain was a god to the younger boys.
Cultural Notes for 奉
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, offering tribute to ancestors during festivals like Qingming or Ching Ming Festival is a crucial practice, demonstrating the respect embodied in the character 奉. This act reinforces familial bonds and the importance of honoring past generations.
Word Family of 奉
Compounds9
棒bang4stick
捧peng3to clasp
俸feng4wages, salary, official emolument
唪feng3to recite, to intone, to chant
埲beng3dust storm
琫
菶
淎
蜯
Words Containing This Character20
奉献fèngxiànto consecrate奉獻
奉fèngto esteem
无可奉告wúkěfènggào(idiom) "no comment"無可奉告
信奉belief
奉命to receive orders
奉陪to keep sb company
奉行to pursue (a course, a policy)
奉承to fawn on
供奉gòngfèngto consecrate
侍奉to wait upon
奉劝may I offer a bit of advice奉勸
阿谀奉承sweet-talking阿諛奉承
奉送(honorific) to give
奉还to return with thanks奉還
奉天old name for Shenyang 瀋陽|沈阳 in modern Liaoning province
奉告(honorific) to inform
奉化Fenghua county level city in Ningbo 寧波|宁波[Níngbō], Zhejiang
奉贤Fengxian suburban district of Shanghai奉賢
奉节Fengjie county in Wanzhou suburbs of north Chongqing municipality, formerly in Sichuan奉節
阳奉阴违to agree overtly, but oppose in secret陽奉陰違
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 棒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 奉
While it can be used in everyday conversation, it is more appropriate in formal or ceremonial contexts.
No, 奉 can also refer to presenting respect to superiors or ancestors, not just deities.
Common phrases include 奉献 (fèngxiàn, to contribute) and 奉命 (fèngmìng, to obey orders).
