fēngjiàn: 封建 - Feudal, Feudalism

• Keywords: fengjian, 封建, feudalism in China, Chinese feudalism, what does fengjian mean, feudal thinking, old-fashioned Chinese term, backwards thinking, traditional Chinese values, 封建迷信
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 封建 (fēngjiàn), a complex Chinese term that goes far beyond its direct translation of “feudalism.” While it refers to China's historical system of governance, in modern conversation, 封建 is a powerful adjective used to criticize ideas, behaviors, or systems as “backwards,” “old-fashioned,” or “unenlightened,” particularly those rooted in traditional patriarchal or superstitious beliefs. This page will break down its historical context, its critical modern usage, and how to use it correctly to describe outdated social norms in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fēngjiàn
• Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A system of enfeoffment (historical noun); old-fashioned, backward, unenlightened, patriarchal (modern adjective).
• In a Nutshell: Imagine the English word “medieval” used as an insult for something brutish or primitive. 封建 (fēngjiàn) works similarly but with a uniquely Chinese flavor. Historically, it refers to the feudal system of the Zhou Dynasty. However, its most common modern use is as a pejorative adjective to criticize thinking or customs that are seen as remnants of imperial China's rigid social hierarchy. It often implies patriarchy, superstition, and a resistance to modern, progressive ideas.

• 封 (fēng): This character originally meant “to seal” (like an envelope) or to “confer upon.” Think of a king or emperor bestowing a title and a piece of land upon a loyal lord, sealing the deal with an official decree.
• 建 (jiàn): This character means “to build” or “to establish.” It's the same character in `建议 (jiànyì)`, to suggest, or `建筑 (jiànzhù)`, architecture.
• Together, 封建 (fēngjiàn) literally means “to confer and establish.” This perfectly captures the essence of historical feudalism: the act of a ruler conferring land and titles to nobles, who then establish their own domains.

The term 封建 (fēngjiàn) carries significant historical and political weight, and its meaning has shifted dramatically over time. Historically, it refers specifically to the political system of the Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046–256 BC), where the king granted fiefs to relatives and allies. This system was decentralized and based on kinship, which is quite different from the land-for-military-service contracts of European feudalism. However, the term was radically redefined in the 20th century by Chinese Marxist historians, including Mao Zedong. To fit China's history into the Marxist theory of social development (slavery → feudalism → capitalism → socialism), the entire imperial period from the Qin Dynasty