恻

惻

cè

则 + 忄

Definitions

cè sorrowful

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 则 represents the sound. Simplified form of 惻.

Semantic: 忄 Phonetic: 则

About

恻 is a phono-semantic compound combining the heart radical 忄, which anchors the meaning in the realm of emotions, with the phonetic 则 (simplified from 則 in the traditional form 惻). It conveys profound sorrow, grief, or heartfelt compassion for others' suffering, and appears often in classical compounds to denote deep empathy or the visceral pain stirred by witnessing another's misfortune.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的恻隐之心令人感动。

Tā de cèyǐn zhī xīn lìng rén gǎndòng.

His compassion is touching.

她心中充满对他的恻隐。

Tā xīnzhōng chōngmǎn duì tā de cèyǐn.

Her heart is filled with compassion for him.

这故事唤起人们的恻隐之情。

Zhè gùshì huànqǐ rénmen de cèyǐn zhī qíng.

This story stirs up people's feelings of compassion.

听闻她的遭遇，我不禁恻然。

Tīngwén tā de zāoyù, wǒ bùjīn cèrán.

Hearing of her plight, I couldn't help but feel sorrowful.

悲天悯人者，常怀恻隐之心。

Bēitiānmǐnrén zhě, cháng huái cèyǐn zhī xīn.

Those who care for the world and pity its people often hold a compassionate heart.

旁观者的冷漠，毫无恻隐之意。

Pángguān zhě de lěngmò, háo wú cèyǐn zhī yì.

The onlookers' indifference showed not a trace of compassion.

这份报告揭示了社会的苦难，读来凄恻感人。

Zhè fèn bàogào jiēshìle shèhuì de kǔnàn, dú lái qīcè gǎnrén.

This report reveals the suffering in society; reading it is poignant and moving.

他虽外表严厉，却深藏着对弱者的恻然之心。

Tā suī wàibiǎo yánlì, què shēn cáng zhe duì ruòzhě de cèrán zhī xīn.

Although he appears stern on the outside, he deeply harbors a compassionate heart for the vulnerable.

Related Characters

Component: 则

Component: 忄

恻