狠

hěn

犭 + 艮

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

hěn (adjective) ruthless; fierce; ferocious

hěn (adjective) determined

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 犭 represents the meaning and 艮 represents the sound.

Semantic: 犭 Phonetic: 艮

About

The character 狠 is a phono-semantic compound. The left component, 犭, a radical form of 犬 'dog', places the character in the semantic field of animals or untamed traits. The right component, 艮, is a phonetic indicator. In its earliest usage, the graph denoted the fierce or savage nature associated with wild beasts, particularly describing vicious dogs. The meaning then expanded beyond the literal animal realm to human conduct, signifying ruthlessness, cruelty, a hardened heart, or a determined and unyielding attitude. Moreover, 狠 can function as an adverb to intensify an action, equivalent to 'severely' or 'intensely'.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他狠心拒绝了帮助。

Tā hěnxīn jùjué le bāngzhù.

He ruthlessly refused help.

老板对他很凶狠。

Lǎobǎn duì tā hěn xiōnghěn.

The boss is very fierce towards him.

敌人发动了狠毒的攻击。

Dírén fādòng le hěndú de gōngjī.

The enemy launched a vicious attack.

他狠命地跑向终点。

Tā hěnmìng de pǎo xiàng zhōngdiǎn.

He ran towards the finish line with all his might.

这场竞争非常狠辣。

Zhè chǎng jìngzhēng fēicháng hěnlà.

This competition is very ruthless and shrewd.

狠心之下，他放弃了梦想。

Hěnxīn zhī xià, tā fàngqì le mèngxiǎng.

Under ruthlessness, he gave up his dream.

面对狠毒的批评，他保持了沉默。

Miànduì hěndú de pīpíng, tā bǎochí le chénmò.

Facing vicious criticism, he remained silent.

在商战中，狠辣的手段有时是必要的。

Zài shāngzhàn zhōng, hěnlà de shǒuduàn yǒushí shì bìyào de.

In business warfare, ruthless tactics are sometimes necessary.

Related Characters

Component: 犭

Component: 艮

狠