to fly, to dart

JLPT N5 3 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Core Meaning

The character (fēi) primarily means "to fly" or "to move swiftly through the air." It is used literally for birds, planes, and other flying objects.

Extended and Figurative Uses

Besides the literal sense, is often used metaphorically to describe something moving very fast or time passing quickly, as in 时间 (time flies).

Common Collocations

  • 飞机 (fēijī): airplane, a very common compound.
  • (fēikuài): very fast, often describing speed.
  • 飞翔 (fēixiáng): to soar or hover in the air, more poetic.

Usage Notes

is a verb and usually appears before the object or as part of a compound. When used figuratively (like time flying), it conveys a sense of rapid passage or movement. Avoid confusing with (tiào, to jump) or (zǒu, to walk), which describe different types of movement.

Summary

is a versatile verb essential for talking about flying and fast movement, both literal and figurative, making it a high-frequency word in everyday and descriptive contexts.

Example Sentences

The bird flies freely in the sky.

The plane flies fast and reaches the destination in two hours.

Time flies quickly; in the blink of an eye, a year has passed.