Definitions

xiè (adjective) lax; negligent

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 懈 is constructed from the heart-mind radical 忄, indicating its association with mental state, and the component 解, which functions phonetically while also imparting a sense of untying or loosening. This etymological foundation points to an initial meaning of slackness or relaxation in one's mental or moral resolve, often describing a decline in diligent effort. Over time, the character has maintained this core conception of laxity or negligence, with its usage in classical and modern contexts consistently reflecting the idea of waning attentiveness or sustained effort without significant alteration to its fundamental sense.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们学习不能松

Wǒmen xuéxí bùnéng sōngxiè.

We cannot slack off in studying.

他对工作从不怠。

Tā duì gōngzuò cóng bù xièdài.

He is never negligent in his work.

即使累了,她也不松

Jíshǐ lèi le, tā yě bù sōngxiè.

Even when tired, she does not slack off.

你要保持努力,不要松

Nǐ yào bǎochí nǔlì, bùyào sōngxiè.

You must keep working hard and not slack off.

虽然任务完成了,但我们不能松,还要继续改进。

Suīrán rènwù wánchéng le, dàn wǒmen bùnéng sōngxiè, hái yào jìxù gǎijìn.

Although the task is completed, we cannot slack off and must continue to improve.

他的不努力终于带来了成功。

Tā de bùxiè nǔlì zhōngyú dàilái le chénggōng.

His unremitting efforts finally brought success.

由于长期不的练习,她的技能提高了很多。

Yóuyú chángqī bùxiè de liànxí, tā de jìnéng tígāo le hěnduō.

Due to long-term unremitting practice, her skills have improved a lot.

为了防止质量下降,管理层要求员工在任何时候都不松

Wèile fángzhǐ zhìliàng xiàjiàng, guǎnlǐ céng yāoqiú yuángōng zài rènhé shíhòu dōu bù sōngxiè.

To prevent quality decline, management requires employees not to slack off at any time.