縫 (fèng) - To sew & to stitch

縫Tone 4

fèng ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

縫 · fèng

To sew;

to stitch;

a seam;

a crack;

a narrow opening;

to mend by sewing.

To sewto stitcha seam

Usage highlights

To sewSeamTo mendSutureSeamstressCrevice

Synonyms

  • 缝纫— sewing (as an activity)
  • 缝合— to suture; to seam together

Antonyms

  • 拆— to dismantle; to tear apart
  • 裂— to split; to crack

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She is sewing clothes (缝衣服).
  • There is a crack in the wall (墙缝).
  • The tailor mended the tear (缝补).
  • Light came through the缝隙).

Collocations

  • To sew(缝纫)
  • Seam(缝隙)
  • To mend(缝补)
  • Suture(缝合)
  • Seamstress(缝纫工)
  • Crevice(裂缝)

Idioms

  • Seeing a seam, one drills into it(见缝插针)
  • Mending the sky and patching the earth(缝天补地)
  • A seamless heavenly garment(天衣无缝)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with traditional female domestic skills like sewing and embroidery.
  • The character embodies values of diligence, meticulousness, and repairing/maintaining what is valuable.
  • In idioms, '缝' (seam/crack) often metaphorically represents an opportunity or flaw.

FAQ