绯 (fēi) - Scarlet & crimson

绯Tone 1

fēi ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

恩丰

绯 · fēi

Scarlet;

crimson;

a deep red color, often associated with official or ceremonial robes in ancient times.

Scarletcrimsona deep red color, often associated with official

Usage highlights

Scarlet robeCrimson blushGossip/scandalScarlet colorDeep redFeihong

Synonyms

  • 红— red (general term)
  • 赤— red, scarlet
  • 朱— vermilion, cinnabar red

Antonyms

  • 绿— green (complementary color)
  • 素— plain, unadorned (antithetical to the vividness of scarlet)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The official wore a scarlet robe (绯袍).
  • Her cheeks flushed crimson (绯红).
  • The scandal was a sensational affair (绯闻).
  • The sky turned scarlet at sunset (绯色的天空).

Collocations

  • Scarlet robe(绯袍)
  • Crimson blush(绯红)
  • Gossip/scandal(绯闻)
  • Scarlet color(绯色)
  • Deep red(绯赤)
  • Feihong(a name, 绯鸿)

Idioms

  • To blush crimson(面颊绯红)
  • A sensational scandal(桃色绯闻)
  • Wearing the red robe of high office(身着绯袍)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In imperial China, the color '绯' (scarlet/crimson) was used for the robes of high-ranking officials, typically of the fourth or fifth rank.
  • The term 绯闻 (fēiwén), literally 'scarlet news', is a modern term for gossip or scandal, often of a romantic or sensational nature.
  • The color carries connotations of status, passion, and sometimes impropriety depending on context.

FAQ