泛泛

fànfàn

adjective #30,497

Meanings

1 superficial
2 general (not in-depth)
3 ordinary; commonplace

Characters

to float; widespread; superficial

to float; widespread; superficial

Examples

他对这个问题只做了泛泛的介绍。

Tā duì zhège wèntí zhǐ zuò le fànfàn de jièshào.

He gave only a superficial introduction to this question.

我们只是泛泛之交。

Wǒmen zhǐshì fànfàn zhī jiāo.

We're just nodding acquaintances.

不要泛泛而谈，请给出具体例子。

Bú yào fànfàn ér tán, qǐng gěichū jùtǐ lìzi.

Don't speak in generalities; please give concrete examples.

Tips

usage

泛泛 most often shows up in fixed phrases: 泛泛之交 (fànfàn zhī jiāo, nodding acquaintance), 泛泛而谈 (fànfàn ér tán, to speak in general terms / superficially). Standalone modifying a noun (泛泛的介绍) is also fine. Always carries a slightly negative "not deep enough" connotation.

memory

泛 means "to float / overflow / be widespread" — duplicated 泛泛 evokes things skimming the surface broadly without sinking in deep. Perfect mental picture for shallow generality.

Stroke Order

泛 fàn