What does the prefix Fu- mean?

[bryce2555760]

Konnichiwa

I've seen in many sentences in japanese that some words have the prefix Fu- in front of them. Can some please tell me what it means and maybe give a few examples?

Arigatou gozaimasu

[toonygal5459]

If it's "fu" as in 不, it works like the prefix "un-", "non-" or other negative prefix in English.

不幸 / fukou = unhappiness, misfortune
不信 / fushin = distrust
不公平/fukouhei = unfair

[Javizy]

This is the sort of reason it's really worth learning kanji. Kanji used as prefixes/suffixes can help you understand hundreds of additional words. 非 is another example. It means 'un-, non-, in- etc' too.

非日常 hi-nichijou - un-everyday (irregular)
非対称 hi-taishou - un-symmetry (asymmetry)
非公式 hi-koushiki - informal
非暴力 hi-bouryoku - nonviolence

[bryce2555760]

Wow, Thank you both for your help:)