Chinese Radicals Series非fēi

The pictogram of the word 非 depicts a bird’s wings spreading in opposite direction, indicating that the two are opposite or against each other.

By extension, the word means ‘incorrect’ or something that is wrong, for example, 是非 (shì fēi, ’right or wrong’），为非作歹 (wéi fēi zuò dǎi, ’ engage in evil deeds’) and 痛改前非 (tòng gǎi qián fēi, ’turn over a new leaf’).

The word 非 often indicates pronunciation when it used as a component in word formation, as in 扉 (fēi, ’ door’) 辈 (bèi, ’generation’) and 悲 (bēi, ’sad’).

Phrases and Idioms

非法 fēi fǎ
Illegal
非分 fēi fèn
Presumptuous
非礼 fēi lǐ
Molest
非命 fēi mìng
To die an unnatural death
非议 fēi yì
Criticism
无可厚非 wúkě-hòufēi
Still acceptable despite some shortcomings