棼 (fén) - Confusion, disorder & also refers to beams or rafters in a

棼Tone 2

fén ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

恩丰

棼 · fén

Confusion, disorder;

also refers to beams or rafters in a roof structure.

Confusion, disorderalso refers to beams or rafters in a

Usage highlights

Confusion and disorderTangled threadsDisorderly governmentRoof beamsConfused thoughtsDisorderly affairs

Synonyms

  • 乱— chaos, disorder
  • 杂— mixed, miscellaneous
  • 紊— disorderly, confused

Antonyms

  • 序— order, sequence
  • 整— neat, orderly
  • 齐— tidy, uniform

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The situation was in complete chaos (治丝益棼).
  • The discussion became increasingly confused (议论纷纭).
  • The beams of the ancient temple were intricately carved (栋梁之材).

Collocations

  • Confusion and disorder(棼乱)
  • Tangled threads(棼丝)
  • Disorderly government(棼政)
  • Roof beams(棼橑)
  • Confused thoughts(思绪棼乱)
  • Disorderly affairs(棼事)

Idioms

  • Trying to sort silk only makes it more tangled(治丝益棼)
  • Confused and disorderly(棼乱无序)
  • Disorderly and chaotic(棼杂错乱)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to roof beams in ancient Chinese architecture, later extended to mean confusion or disorder.
  • The character appears in classical texts like the Book of Songs and Zuo Zhuan, often describing chaotic situations.
  • The idiom '治丝益棼' warns that improper handling of problems can make them worse.

FAQ