HSK · Level 97
45 words
Chinese word
封建
Pronunciation
Pinyinfēng jiàn
Meaning
- adjectivefeudal
Example
这个规定太封建，需要改变。zhè ge guī dìng tài fēng jiàn xū yào gǎi biàn
This rule is too feudal and needs to be changed.
More examples
他对女性的看法很封建。tā duì nǚ xìng de kàn fǎ hěn fēng jiàn
His views on women are very feudal.
Core concept
It is a rigid social order that preserves inherited rules and authority instead of adapting to modern life.
Common phrases
封建思想fēng jiàn sī xiǎng
feudal thinking
封建制度fēng jiàn zhì dù
feudal system
封建观念fēng jiàn guān niàn
feudal ideas
Similar words
保守báo shǒu: Preferring familiar customs and present conditions rather than accepting new ideas.
守旧shǒu jiù: Holding firmly to old ways of thinking or doing things without adapting.
传统chuán tǒng: Based on customs and ideas that have continued for a long time.
落后luò hòu: Behind the times in development, ideas, or social practices.
Definition in Chinese
形容思想、观念或做法保守、陈旧，不符合现代社会要求；原指古代的封建制度。xíng róng sī xiǎng guān niàn huò zuò fǎ báo shǒu chén jiù bù fú hé xiàn dài shè huì yāo qiú yuán zhǐ gǔ dài de fēng jiàn zhì dù
Word origin
封 (fēng, "to grant a fief") + 建 (jiàn, "to establish") refers to granting land to hereditary lords who established local states; the term later extended to rigid old social thinking.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, this adjective often criticizes views on marriage, family roles, or authority, so applying it to a person can sound personal rather than neutral.
Other meanings
- conservativeadjective
- old-fashionedadjective
Opposites
- 进步jìn bùprogressiveadjective
- 开明kāi míngenlightenedadjective
Related words
- 封建制度fēng jiàn zhì dùfeudal systemnoun
- 封建主义fēng jiàn zhǔ yìfeudalismnoun
- 封建社会fēng jiàn shè huìfeudal societynoun