Definitions

xián (verb) to dislike; to disapprove of
xián (noun) suspicion; resentment

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

Composed of the radical 女, which often relates to female-associated concepts, and the component 兼 that functions as both a phonetic indicator and a semantic element suggesting duality or mixture, the character "嫌" originally encapsulated meanings centered on suspicion and resentment, particularly in social interactions. Its early applications frequently involved harboring doubts or bearing grudges against others, but through prolonged use, its semantic scope gradually expanded to encompass a wider spectrum of negative sentiments, including active dislike and complaint, while still retaining its fundamental association with aversion. This shift from a more specific sense of mistrust to a general expression of distaste illustrates how the character's fixed graphical composition accommodated changing linguistic nuances over time.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这里太吵。

Wǒ xián zhèlǐ tài chǎo.

I find this place too noisy.

她很弃这件旧衣服。

Tā hěn xiánqì zhè jiàn jiù yīfu.

She really dislikes this old piece of clothing.

贵的话就别买了。

Nǐ xián guì dehuà jiù bié mǎi le.

If you think it's too expensive, then don't buy it.

大家都他说话太啰嗦。

Dàjiā dōu xián tā shuōhuà tài luōsuō.

Everyone finds him too long-winded when he speaks.

他涉参与了这次非法活动。

Tā shèxián cānyù le zhè cì fēifǎ huódòng.

He is suspected of being involved in this illegal activity.

我丝毫不弃你的家庭背景。

Wǒ sīháo bù xiánqì nǐ de jiātíng bèijǐng.

I don't dislike your family background in the slightest.

千万别让他弃你不够真诚。

Qiānwàn bié ràng tā xiánqì nǐ bùgòu zhēnchéng.

Be careful not to let him think you are not sincere enough.

他因涉贪污而被警方调查。

Tā yīn shèxián tānwū ér bèi jǐngfāng diàochá.

He is under police investigation for suspicion of embezzlement.