Overview
The character 粉 (fěn) primarily means 'powder' or 'fine particles.' It is commonly used to refer to substances like flour (面粉), cosmetic powder (化妆粉), or powdered medicine (药粉).
Usage in Daily Life
粉 is often used in cooking contexts to describe ingredients like flour or starch. It also appears in beauty contexts, referring to face powder or cosmetic products.
Common Collocations
- 面粉 (miànfěn): flour, used in cooking and baking.
- 粉末 (fěnmò): powder, often for medicine or chemicals.
- 粉扑 (fěnpū): powder puff, a cosmetic tool.
Nuances and Tips
When 粉 is used alone, it usually refers to powder in a physical sense. It can also be part of compound words describing specific types of powder. Avoid confusing 粉 with 份 (fèn), which means 'portion' or 'share.'
Summary
Understanding 粉 helps learners talk about cooking ingredients, cosmetics, and medicines in everyday conversation. It is a versatile noun that appears frequently in both spoken and written Chinese.