悱 (fěi) - Fěi — to want to speak but unable & hesitant in speech

悱Tone 3

fěi ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

恩丰

悱 · fěi

Fěi — to want to speak but unable to find the words;

hesitant in speech;

pent-up thoughts.

Fěi — to want to speak but unablehesitant in speechpent-up thoughts.

Usage highlights

Hesitant to speakPentWanting to speak but unableHesitant expressionUnspoken thoughtsEmotional restraint

Synonyms

  • 郁— depressed; pent-up (emotional state)
  • 闷— bottled up; stifled
  • 涩— hesitant; halting (in speech)

Antonyms

  • 畅— fluent; free-flowing
  • 达— articulate; expressive
  • 爽— frank; straightforward

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He was hesitant to speak (悱悱不发).
  • The poet expressed pent-up feelings (悱恻之情).
  • She was in a state of wanting to speak but holding back (悱悱欲言).

Collocations

  • Hesitant to speak(悱悱)
  • Pent-up feelings(悱恻)
  • Wanting to speak but unable(悱发)
  • Hesitant expression(悱色)
  • Unspoken thoughts(悱思)
  • Emotional restraint(悱郁)

Idioms

  • Bitter anguish and pent-up feelings(悱恻缠绵)
  • Hesitant and unable to speak out(悱悱不发)
  • Deeply felt but unexpressed(不悱不发)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originates from classical Chinese literary tradition describing the struggle to articulate deep emotions.
  • Often used in poetic contexts to convey restrained emotional expression.
  • Appears in Confucian educational philosophy regarding the timing of teaching.

FAQ