聞 (wén) - Hear & listen

聞Tone 2

wén ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

聞 · wén

Hear;

listen;

news;

reputation;

to smell (literary);

a measure word for news.

Hearlistennews

Usage highlights

NewsFamousReputationTo hearTo smellRumor

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 哑— mute (cannot speak/hear)
  • 聋— deaf

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I heard the news (听到新闻).
  • This is a well-known story (闻名的故事).
  • He has a good reputation (有好名声).
  • I smell the fragrance of flowers (闻到花香).

Collocations

  • News(新闻)
  • Famous(闻名)
  • Reputation(名声)
  • To hear(听到)
  • To smell(闻到)
  • Rumor(传闻)

Idioms

  • Well-known throughout the country(闻名全国)
  • Unheard-of(闻所未闻)
  • To turn a deaf ear(充耳不闻)
  • Both see and hear(耳闻目睹)
  • Bad reputation(臭名昭著)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted an ear at a gate, listening for news or important information.
  • In classical Chinese, 闻 could mean both 'to hear' and 'to smell', though modern usage primarily favors 听 for hearing and 闻 for smelling in certain contexts.
  • The character is strongly associated with knowledge, information, and reputation in Chinese culture.

FAQ