feng: 风 - Wind, Style, Trend, Manner

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Summary: The Chinese character 风 (fēng) literally means “wind,” but its significance blows far beyond weather. As a fundamental HSK 1 word, 风 (fēng) is also a powerful metaphor for style, trends, customs, and influence in Chinese culture. From describing the latest fashion trend (时尚风, shíshàng fēng) to the ancient practice of 风水 (fēngshuǐ), understanding 风 is key to grasping how Chinese language describes the invisible forces that shape society, art, and even personal demeanor.

Pinyin (with tone marks): fēng

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 1

Concise Definition: Wind; or a style, trend, custom, or manner.

In a Nutshell: At its heart, 风 (fēng) is the physical wind you feel on your face. However, Chinese culture extends this idea to represent any powerful, moving, or influential force. Think of a trend as a “wind” that blows through society, changing what's popular. A person's character or “style” of doing things is their personal 风. It's a concept that connects the natural world to social and personal dynamics.

风 (fēng): The character 风 is a pictogram. Its ancient form is thought to depict a sail swelling with wind, or perhaps a mythical phoenix, whose flight was associated with the wind. The modern character is composed of the enclosure `几` and an inner component `虫` (insect). One traditional explanation is that wind brings insects, linking the two. For a beginner, the easiest way to remember it is as the elemental force of wind, an ever-present part of nature and life.

风 (fēng) is a cornerstone of Chinese cultural and philosophical thought, embodying the idea of unseen but powerful forces.

风水 (fēngshuǐ): Literally “wind-water,” this is the most famous cultural concept associated with 风. It's the traditional Chinese practice of arranging physical space—from buildings to furniture—to be in harmony with the flow of natural energy (气, qì). The “wind” in this context represents the energy that circulates and should not be blocked, while “water” represents energy that collects. It's about creating a balanced and auspicious environment.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): In TCM, 风 (fēng) is considered one of the primary external causes of illness. “Wind” can invade the body, causing sudden symptoms like colds, headaches, or rashes. This differs from the Western concept of a “draft”; in TCM, 风 is a pathogenic force that disrupts the body's internal balance.

Metaphor for Influence and Change: In literature and everyday speech, 风 is a metaphor for societal change, public opinion, and moral influence. A good leader is expected to have a positive influence or 风气 (fēngqì). The “winds of change” in English is a similar idea, but in Chinese, the concept is applied much more broadly to describe social customs (风俗, fēngsú), morals (风气, fēngqì), and even a person's elegance and grace (风度, fēngdù).

风水 (fēngshuǐ) - A core cultural concept; the traditional practice of arranging physical space to harmonize with nature's energy flow.

风景 (fēngjǐng) - Scenery, landscape. A compound where 风 contributes to the natural, elemental feel.

风格 (fēnggé) - The general, more formal word for “style” or “manner.”

风险 (fēngxiǎn) - Risk, danger. Here 风 represents unpredictability and uncontrollable forces.

风俗 (fēngsú) - Social customs. The “prevailing winds” of a local culture.

潮流 (cháoliú) - Trend, tide. A close synonym for the “trend” meaning of 风, often used interchangeably.

天气 (tiānqì) - Weather. The broader category of atmospheric conditions, of which 风 is a key part.

气 (qì) - Air, gas, spirit. A fundamental concept in Chinese philosophy and medicine, often interacting with 风.