嬉

xī

喜 + 女

Definitions

xī (literary) to amuse oneself; to play; to have fun

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 女 represents the meaning and 喜 represents the sound.

Semantic: 女 Phonetic: 喜

About

The character 嬉 (xī) is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic radical 女 (nǚ, woman) on the left indicates the meaning category, while the phonetic component 喜 (xǐ, joy/happiness) on the right suggests the pronunciation. The character means to play, frolic, or amuse oneself joyfully. It often conveys lighthearted recreation or playful mischief, appearing in compounds like 嬉戏 (xī xì, playful activities) and 嬉笑 (xī xiào, cheerful laughter).

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

孩子们在公园里嬉戏。

Hái zi men zài gōng yuán lǐ xī xì.

The children are playing in the park.

妹妹喜欢和她的朋友嬉闹。

Mèi mei xǐ huān hé tā de péng you xī nào.

My younger sister likes to frolic with her friends.

远处传来他们嬉笑的声音。

Yuǎn chù chuán lái tā men xī xiào de shēng yīn.

The sound of their laughter and play came from the distance.

水中的游鱼互相追逐嬉戏。

Shuǐ zhōng de yóu yú hù xiāng zhuī zhú xī xì.

The swimming fish chase and play with each other in the water.

一群海豚在浪花间嬉游跳跃。

Yì qún hǎi tún zài làng huā jiān xī yóu tiào yuè.

A pod of dolphins frolics and leaps among the waves.

这对情侣在沙滩上嬉水，十分快乐。

Zhè duì qíng lǚ zài shā tān shàng xī shuǐ, shí fēn kuài lè.

This couple is happily playing in the water on the beach.

不要总把工作挂在心上，偶尔也要嬉游放松。

Bù yào zǒng bǎ gōng zuò guà zài xīn shàng, ǒu ěr yě yào xī yóu fàng sōng.

Don't always keep work on your mind; occasionally you should also relax and play.

看着孙辈们嬉闹的场景，老人脸上露出了慈祥的笑容。

Kàn zhe sūn bèi men xī nào de chǎng jǐng, lǎo rén liǎn shàng lòu chū le cí xiáng de xiào róng.

Watching the scene of his grandchildren frolicking, a kind smile appeared on the old man's face.

Related Characters

Component: 喜

Component: 女

嬉