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姘 is a phono-semantic compound combining the semantic radical 女 ('woman') with the phonetic component 并 (traditional 幷). The 女 radical signals a connection to women or female-associated social behavior, while 并 not only gives the pronunciation but also means 'together,' hinting at an illicit union. The character denotes an extramarital sexual relationship or cohabitation without formal marriage, and commonly appears in compounds for a paramour or secret lover, always carrying a strong derogatory connotation.
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