Definition
福 (fú) is a general noun for 'good fortune, luck, happiness' — it's the core concept seen in the character 福 posted at Spring Festival. It is broader than 福气 (fú qi, a lasting blessed condition from fate) and less personal than 幸福 (xìng fú, deep happiness/well-being). 福 is often used in wishes and cultural expressions.
noun
good fortunehappinessluck
Easily confused
- 幅fúlook-alike(classifier) for paintings, pictures, and textiles (curtains, cloth, etc.)
- 付fùsound-aliketo pay
- 富fùlook-alikerich, wealthy, abundant
- 副fùsound-alikesecondary; auxiliary; vice- (in official titles)
- 逼bīlook-aliketo force, to compel (someone to do something)
- 服fúsound-aliketo take (medicine)
- 副fùlook-alike(classifier) for pairs, sets, and facial expressions
- 负fùsound-alike(verb) to bear, to carry (a burden, responsibility, debt)
- 扶fúsound-aliketo support with the hand; to help (someone) up; to hold onto (something) for support
- 附fùsound-aliketo attach, to fasten
Examples
- ，福。Chūnjié de shíhou, rénmen xǐhuan zài mén shàng tiē fú zì.During the Spring Festival, people like to paste the character 'fu' on their doors.
- 福！Zhù nǐ xīnnián yǒu fú!Wishing you good fortune in the new year!
- 福。Dàjiā dōu xīwàng zìjǐ yǒu fú.Everyone hopes they have good fortune.
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