憎

zēng

忄 + 曾

Definitions

zēng to detest

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 曾 represents the sound.

Semantic: 忄 Phonetic: 曾

About

The character 憎 (zēng) is a phono-semantic compound. It features the heart radical 忄 (xīn) on the left, which categorizes it within the domain of emotions and psychological states, and the phonetic component 曾 (zēng) on the right. The presence of the heart radical anchors its core meaning: a strong negative emotion, specifically profound hatred, detestation, or deep aversion. This character denotes a severe and lasting animosity, distinct from mild dislike or transient annoyance. Its semantic application is focused on this intense emotional state, and it frequently combines with other characters for anger or dislike to form compounds describing severe interpersonal conflict or intense prejudice.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他憎恨这种不公。

Tā zènghèn zhè zhǒng bù gōng.

He hates this kind of injustice.

我憎恶说谎的人。

Wǒ zēngwù shuōhuǎng de rén.

I despise people who tell lies.

他脸上露出了憎恶的表情。

Tā liǎn shang lù chū le zēngwù de biǎoqíng.

An expression of disgust appeared on his face.

过度的自私会引起他人的憎厌。

Guòdù de zìsī huì yǐnqǐ tārén de zēngyàn.

Excessive selfishness will arouse disgust in others.

她将内心的憎恨化为了奋斗的动力。

Tā jiāng nèixīn de zènghèn huà wéi le fèndòu de dònglì.

She transformed the hatred in her heart into motivation for struggle.

这种毫无根据的憎恨情绪必须被消除。

Zhè zhǒng háo wú gēnjù de zènghèn qíngxù bìxū bèi xiāochú.

This kind of baseless hatred must be eliminated.

历史教导我们，种族间的憎恨会带来灾难。

Lìshǐ jiàodǎo wǒmen, zhǒngzú jiān de zènghèn huì dàilái zāinàn.

History teaches us that racial hatred leads to disaster.

他试图用理性和宽容来化解对方心中的憎恶。

Tā shìtú yòng lǐxìng hé kuānróng lái huàjiě duìfāng xīn zhōng de zēngwù.

He tried to use reason and tolerance to dissolve the disgust in the other person's heart.

Related Characters

Component: 忄

Component: 曾

憎