菲 (fēi) - fragrant & luxuriant

菲Tone 1

fēi ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

恩丰

菲 · fēi

fragrant;

luxuriant;

humble;

modest;

used in names of plants like jasmine;

also used to describe something humble or unworthy.

fragrantluxurianthumble

Usage highlights

JasmineHumbleLuxuriant growthFragrantUnworthyModest meal

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 贵— noble, precious
  • 傲— arrogant
  • 奢— luxurious

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The jasmine flower is fragrant (茉莉菲).
  • She has a humble attitude (菲薄的态度).
  • This is a luxuriant growth of plants (芳菲的植物).
  • He made a modest contribution (菲薄的贡献).

Collocations

  • Jasmine(茉莉菲)
  • Humble(菲薄)
  • Luxuriant growth(芳菲)
  • Fragrant(菲菲)
  • Unworthy(菲才)
  • Modest meal(菲酌)

Idioms

  • Humble and unworthy(菲才寡学)
  • Luxuriant and fragrant(芳菲满园)
  • Modest and simple(菲食薄衣)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally described the fragrance and luxuriance of plants in classical Chinese.
  • Later extended to mean 'humble' or 'unworthy' through modest self-reference.
  • Commonly used in female names for its floral and delicate connotations.
  • Appears in the name of the Philippines (菲律宾).

FAQ