锋 meaning and stroke order
Spear-point; edge, point, tip
How to write 锋, stroke by stroke
12 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 锋
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- point of a spear
- edge of a tool
- vanguard
- forward (in sports team)
How 锋 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Metal.
钅 gives the meaning and 夆 hints at the sound.
Radical: 钅 (gold), shared by 223 characters on this site.
How to remember 锋
锋 (fēng) joins the metal radical 钅 with 夆, which gives the sound. Picture the metal part of a weapon that meets the enemy first: the sharp point or edge.
锋 is rarely used alone and usually appears in words about sharpness or about being at the front, such as 锋利 (fēnglì) sharp, 先锋 (xiānfēng) pioneer, and 前锋 (qiánfēng) forward in sports. Example: 这把刀很锋利。(Zhè bǎ dāo hěn fēnglì.) This knife is very sharp.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 锋 with 峰 (fēng, mountain peak) and 蜂 (fēng, bee), which share 夆 and the same sound. Check the left side: metal 钅 for an edge, mountain 山 for a peak, insect 虫 for a bee.
Common words with 锋
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 先锋 | xiānfēng | vanguard; pioneer; avant-garde | HSK 6 |
| 交锋 | jiāofēng | to cross swords; to have a confrontation (with sb) | HSK 7-9 |
| 针锋相对 | zhēnfēng-xiāngduì | to oppose each other with equal harshness (idiom); tit for tat; measure for measure | HSK 7-9 |
| 锋利 | fēnglì | sharp (e.g. knife blade); incisive | |
| 冲锋 | chōngfēng | to charge (at the enemy); to storm (an enemy position) | |
| 前锋 | qiánfēng | vanguard; front line | |
| 刀锋 | dāofēng | cutting edge or point of a knife, sword or tool | |
| 冲锋枪 | chōngfēngqiāng | submachine gun |
锋 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 锋
How many strokes are in 锋?
锋 is written with 12 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 锋 mean?
锋 (fēng) means spear-point; edge, point, tip. A common word with it is 先锋 (xiānfēng), meaning "vanguard; pioneer; avant-garde".
How do you pronounce 锋?
锋 is pronounced fēng, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 锋?
The radical of 锋 is 钅, which carries the idea of "gold". Dictionaries list 锋 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 锋?
The traditional form of 锋 is 鋒. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 锋 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 锋 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 锋 is part of the HSK 6 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
What does 针锋相对 mean and when is it used?
针锋相对 (zhēnfēng-xiāngduì) literally means needle point against needle point. It describes two sides opposing each other sharply, point for point, as in a heated debate or negotiation.
Can 锋 describe a person's way of speaking?
Yes, figuratively. 锋利 can describe incisive words or writing, as in 言辞锋利 (yáncí fēnglì), sharp and cutting language. The related word 锋芒 (fēngmáng) refers to a person's sharpness or talent that stands out.