Comparing "fei" and "pang"

肥 (féi) and 胖 (pàng) are both adjectives that mean "fat" and both are used in informal and formal settings. 胖 is the more normal word for "fat," while 肥 which is used to describe an animal that is fat or fatty meat, or to exaggerate "fat" for a person. When discussing going on a diet or trying to lose weight, 减肥 (jiǎnféi) is the only choice. A final difference is that only 肥 can be used to describe clothes that are loose-fitting or baggy.











B1HSK4ASV4567
肥 (féi) 胖 (pàng)
Meaning fatty fat
Part of Speech adjective adjective
Formality flexible flexible

胖 is the default word for "fat"

Example Sentences

  • 他 比 我 Zhǐyào nǐ měi tiān shǎo chī duō yùndòng, jiù yīdìng néng jiǎn pàng chénggōng.He is fatter than me.
  • 他 不 仅仅 ,而且 还 很 矮。Tā bù jǐnjǐn pàng, érqiě hái hěn ǎi.He's not just fat, he's also short.
  • 的 人 穿 黑色 的 衣服 会 显 得 瘦 一点。Pàng de rén chuān hēisè de yīfu huì xiǎn de shòu yīdiǎn.A fat person would look thinner in black.
  • 我 最近 一直 没有 运动,有点 变 了。Wǒ zuìjìn yīzhí méiyǒu yùndòng, yǒudiǎn biàn pàng le.I haven't been exercising lately and I'm getting a bit chubby.
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肥 can be "fat" for an animal, meat, or a person

Example Sentences

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Use 肥 when talking about losing weight

Example Sentences

  • 为了 减 ,她 只 喝 无 糖 饮料。Wèile jiǎn féi, tā zhǐ hē wú táng yǐnliào.To lose weight, she only drinks sugar-free drinks.
  • 我 觉得 跑步 对 减 没有 效果。Wǒ juéde pǎobù duì jiǎn féi méiyǒu xiàoguǒ.I don't think running is effective for weight loss.
  • 只要 你 每 天 少 吃 多 运动,就 一定 能 减 成功。Zhǐyào nǐ měi tiān shǎo chī duō yùndòng, jiù yīdìng néng jiǎn féi chénggōng.If you eat less and exercise more every day, you will definitely succeed in losing weight.
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“胖”是指一个人有很多肉,体型宽广,但是很结实;“肥”是指脂肪较多,通常形容动物,形容人的话,带有贬义或者蔑视的作用;

Sources and further reading

Websites

胖和肥的区别是什么? https://zhidao.baidu.com/question/591425905316378925.html