Definitions

xīng (adjective) fishy; raw meat smell

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 腥 is etymologically a phono-semantic compound, integrating the meat radical 月 with the component 星 primarily for its phonetic value, which originally anchored its meaning to the distinct smell of raw meat or fish. Over centuries, its semantic range widened to encompass various pungent and unpleasant odors associated with spoilage, blood, or aquatic creatures, while also developing figurative applications to characterize morally unsavory or suspicious situations. Structurally consistent, the character retains its compositional logic, with the radical continually hinting at its organic origins and the phonetic element guiding its pronunciation.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这条鱼有点

Zhè tiáo yú yǒudiǎn xīng.

This fish is a bit fishy.

他不喜欢的食物。

Tā bù xǐhuān xīng de shíwù.

He doesn't like fishy food.

厨房里充满了味。

Chúfáng lǐ chōngmǎn le xīngwèi.

The kitchen is filled with a fishy smell.

气从海边飘来。

Xīngqì cóng hǎibiān piāo lái.

The fishy smell drifts from the seaside.

清洗后味减轻了。

Qīngxǐ hòu xīngwèi jiǎnqīng le.

After washing, the fishy smell reduced.

这场面太血了。

Zhè chǎngmiàn tài xuèxīng le.

This scene is too bloody.

臭的气味让人作呕。

Xīngchòu de qìwèi ràng rén zuò'ǒu.

The fishy and foul smell makes people nauseous.

去除味需要一些技巧。

Qùchú xīngwèi xūyào yīxiē jìqiǎo.

Removing the fishy smell requires some skill.