How to Write 奉 (fèng) — Meaning “to offer / to serve / to receive”

Imagine holding a large (大) gift box with many (丰 line pattern) items inside, offering it to someone respectfully. This visual of presenting a big, abundant gift helps link the shape to its meanings of 'to offer' and 'to serve'.

Write 奉 starting with the top radical 大: first the horizontal stroke, then left-falling, right-falling. Then below it write 丰: three horizontal strokes from top to bottom, finishing with a vertical stroke through the middle. A common mistake is making the top 大 too wide or misaligning the vertical stroke of 丰 with the center of 大.

买 means 'to buy' and has a head component similar to 一 plus 头, while 奉 has 大 on top. 夷 means 'smooth' or 'barbarian' and contains 大 with a different bottom (like 弓). Visually, 奉 has three horizontal strokes in the bottom part, whereas 买 has a vertical hook and 夷 has a curved stroke.

奉 is common in formal or respectful contexts, like 奉献 (devote/dedicate) often used for offering one's time or effort selflessly. It appears in 信奉 (fēng xìn) for religious belief or strong adherence to a principle, and in polite phrases like 奉陪 (accompany) to show willingness to stay with someone. The character carries a tone of reverence and honor in Chinese culture.

Common words containing 奉 include: 奉献 (fèng xiàn) — to dedicate / to devote; 信奉 (xìn fèng) — believe in; follow (a religion or philosophy); 奉陪 (fèng péi) — to keep someone company / to accompany.