How to Write 锋 (fēng) — Meaning “Sharp point; blade edge”

Picture a metal (钅) sword tip that is so sharp it can split a mountain peak (think of 夆 as a mountain with a sharp top). The right side 夆 even looks like a pointed peak with a line through it. This helps you link the character to its meaning of 'sharp point'.

Pay attention to the left radical 钅: it has 5 strokes and ends with a rising stroke (提). The right part 夆 starts with a short left-falling stroke (撇) then a horizontal, then another 撇 and 捺—do not make the bottom 丰 too wide. A common mistake is writing the top 夂 (折文) too large, so keep it compact.

钰 (yù) has the jade radical 玉 inside, meaning 'treasure' or 'precious jade'. 钱 (qián) has the component 戋, meaning 'money' or 'coin'. 锋 shares the metal radical but uses 夆, giving it the sense of 'sharpness'. Visually, the right side is distinct: 钰 has 玉, 钱 has 戋, and 锋 has 夆.

锋 appears in everyday words like 前锋 (vanguard or forward in sports) and 锋利 (sharp, like a knife). It also appears in idioms such as 锋芒毕露 (to show off one's talent, literally 'to reveal the tip of the blade'). Culturally, it often implies a cutting edge or leading position.

Common words containing 锋 include: 前锋 (qián fēng) — Vanguard / Forward (sports); 锋利 (fēng lì) — Sharp; keen; 笔锋 (bǐ fēng) — tip of a writing brush.