Definitions

xùn to give in to; to be swayed by (personal considerations etc); Taiwan pr. [xún]; to follow; to expose publicly; variant of 侚[xùn]; variant of 殉[xùn]
xùn variant of 徇[xùn]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

Composed of the radical 彳 denoting movement and the phonetic element 旬, the character "徇" originally conveyed the idea of walking around or touring, often for purposes of inspection or demonstration. Over time, its meaning extended to include acts of publicizing or announcing, as seen in historical compounds. Subsequently, the character shifted toward notions of yielding or complying, particularly in contexts of succumbing to external pressures or personal interests, which became central to its modern usage in terms like "徇私". This progression reflects a semantic movement from concrete physical actions to more abstract social or moral behaviors.

Example Sentences Hide

他办事从不私。

Tā bànshì cóng bù xùnsī.

He never acts out of personal consideration in handling matters.

私舞弊是不对的。

Xùnsī wǔbì shì bù duì de.

Engaging in fraud for personal gain is wrong.

公司严禁私行为。

Gōngsī yánjìn xùnsī xíngwéi.

The company strictly prohibits favoritism.

他为了朋友情了。

Tā wèile péngyou xùnqíng le.

He acted out of personal feelings for his friend.

法律面前不容私。

Fǎlǜ miànqián bù róng xùnsī.

There is no room for favoritism before the law.

私会破坏公平原则。

Xùnsī huì pòhuài gōngpíng yuánzé.

Favoritism can undermine the principle of fairness.

他因私被公司开除。

Tā yīn xùnsī bèi gōngsī kāichú.

He was fired by the company for favoritism.

在执法过程中不能情。

Zài zhífǎ guòchéng zhōng bù néng xùnqíng.

One cannot act out of personal feelings during law enforcement.