费

• Pinyin: fèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 费 = simplified from 費; 弗 (not, phonetic) + 贝 (shell/money), meaning to spend or a fee

Meaning

To cost; to spend; fee; expense. Can be a verb meaning to consume or a noun suffix for fees.

As a verb, means to expend effort or resources (费时间, 费力). As a noun suffix, forms many common words for fees: 学费 (tuition), 电费 (electricity bill), 停车费 (parking fee). Very productive in modern Chinese.

Examples

1. 学中文不费什么钱，但是很费时间。 Learning Chinese doesn't cost much money, but it takes a lot of time.
2. 这个月的电费比上个月多了不少。 This month's electricity bill is quite a bit more than last month.
3. 孩子的学费是一笔不小的开支。 The child's tuition is a significant expense.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, everyday, work

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 这件事太费时间了。(This matter takes too much time.)
• 你还没交停车费呢。(You haven't paid the parking fee yet.)

Don't Say

• 我费了很多快乐 (Don't use 费 with emotions — 费 is used with time, money, effort, or energy, not feelings)

Origin & History

Originally written 費, from 弗 (not) and 贝 (shell/money), suggesting the spending or loss of money.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal