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    Chinese Grammar

    Understanding the character 非 (fēi) for 'wrongdoing'

    Description & Modification
    Negation

    Explanation

    非 (fēi) can mean "wrongdoing," "fault," or "non-/un-" depending on context. As a noun, it refers to error or misconduct, as in the phrase 是非 (right and wrong). It also serves as a negation prefix in formal Chinese, similar to "non-" in English.

    Examples

    • 别人的是非我们不要管。

      Biérén de shìfēi wǒmen bùyào guǎn.

      We shouldn't meddle in other people's gossip.

    • 他这个人最喜欢说别人的是非。

      Tā zhège rén zuì xǐhuān shuō biérén de shìfēi.

      He is the kind of person who loves to gossip about others.

    • 我们要分清是非，不能糊涂。

      Wǒmen yào fēnqīng shìfēi, bù néng hútu.

      We must distinguish right from wrong and not be confused.

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    Understanding the character 非 (fēi) for 'wrongdoing' | Chinese Grammar