Definitions

jiān (adjective) wicked; crafty; treacherous
jiān (noun) traitor
jiān (verb) to rape; to violate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 奸 is a phono-semantic compound: the left side features the female radical 女, while the right side contains the phonetic element 干, which indicates its pronunciation. Its traditional variant, 姦, is an ideogram formed by stacking three female radicals, a design rooted in ancient patriarchal views that often linked groups of women with deceit or treachery. The character's core meanings denote wickedness, treachery, and villainy, commonly used to describe traitors, cunning persons, or malicious schemes. In legal and moral contexts, it also refers to illicit sexual relations, adultery, or assault, marking serious violations of social and ethical norms.

Example Sentences Hide

这个商卖假货。

Zhège jiānshāng mài jiǎhuò.

This unscrupulous merchant sells fake goods.

他非常诈狡猾。

Tā fēicháng jiānzhà jiǎohuá.

He is very crafty and sly.

战争时期出现了很多汉

Zhànzhēng shíqī chūxiànle hěnduō hànjiān.

During the war, many traitors appeared.

他的计最终被识破了。

Tā de jiānjì zuìzhōng bèi shípòle.

His treacherous scheme was finally seen through.

那个政治家因为猾的手段而闻名。

Nàgè zhèngzhìjiā yīnwèi jiānhuá de shǒuduàn ér wénmíng.

That politician is famous for his crafty methods.

虽然他知道商的行为不对,但还是选择了合作。

Suīrán tā zhīdào jiānshāng de xíngwéi bùduì, dàn háishì xuǎnzéle hézuò.

Although he knew the unscrupulous merchant's behavior was wrong, he still chose to cooperate.

在历史上,那些臣往往为了个人利益出卖国家。

Zài lìshǐ shàng, nàxiē jiānchén wǎngwǎng wèile gèrén lìyì chūmài guójiā.

In history, those treacherous officials often betrayed the country for personal gain.

法律应该严厉惩罚那些犯下恶罪行的人。

Fǎlǜ yīnggāi yánlì chéngfá nàxiē fàn xià jiān'è zuìxíng de rén.

The law should severely punish those who commit wicked crimes.