哽

gěng

口 + 更

Definitions

gěng to choke with emotion; to choke on a piece of food

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 更 represents the sound.

Semantic: 口 Phonetic: 更

About

A phono-semantic compound, 哽 combines the 口 (mouth) radical on the left, indicating the semantic domain of the throat and oral functions, with the phonetic component 更 on the right. The character primarily denotes the physical sensation of choking or having an obstruction in the throat that hinders breathing or swallowing. This literal blockage is commonly extended to the emotional state of being so overcome by grief or intense feeling that one can only produce choked, sobbing sounds, a usage frequently found in literary depictions of profound sorrow.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她哽咽着说不出话。

Tā gěngyè zhe shuō bù chū huà.

She choked up and couldn't speak.

他因激动而声音哽咽。

Tā yīn jīdòng ér shēngyīn gěngyè.

His voice choked with excitement.

看到这一幕，他哽咽了。

Kàn dào zhè yī mù, tā gěngyè le.

Seeing this scene, he choked up.

悲伤的情绪让她哽咽。

Bēishāng de qíngxù ràng tā gěngyè.

Sad emotions made her choke up.

他哽咽着讲述悲惨的故事。

Tā gěngyè zhe jiǎngshù bēicǎn de gùshi.

He choked up while telling the tragic story.

尽管努力克制，她还是哽咽了。

Jǐnguǎn nǔlì kèzhì, tā háishì gěngyè le.

Despite trying to restrain herself, she still choked up.

在颁奖典礼上，他哽咽着感谢所有人。

Zài bānjiǎng diǎnlǐ shàng, tā gěngyè zhe gǎnxiè suǒyǒu rén.

At the award ceremony, he choked up while thanking everyone.

听到那个消息，她哽咽得无法继续说话。

Tīng dào nàgè xiāoxi, tā gěngyè dé wúfǎ jìxù shuōhuà.

Upon hearing that news, she choked up and couldn't continue speaking.

Related Characters

Component: 口

Component: 更

哽