Definitions

xiāo (adjective) desolate; dreary
xiāo (noun) Chinese mugwort

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The traditional form is , a phono-semantic compound where provides the meaning and indicates the sound. It primarily denotes a type of mugwort and, by extension, a desolate or melancholy state. Originally the character named an aromatic plant used in ancient rituals. The semantic component , suggesting solemnity or strictness, contributed to the later shift toward bleak, lonely atmospheres, often evoking the sound of autumn winds and dreary landscapes in poetry. It is also a common surname. The simplified form retains the grass radical but replaces the intricate with the simpler .

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

先生来了。

Xiāo xiānsheng lái le.

Mr. Xiao has arrived.

秋天很瑟。

Qiūtiān hěn xiāosè.

Autumn is very desolate.

市场显得很条。

Shìchǎng xiǎnde hěn xiāotiáo.

The market appears very depressed.

红是中国著名的作家。

Xiāo Hóng shì Zhōngguó zhùmíng de zuòjiā.

Xiao Hong is a famous Chinese writer.

经济条影响了很多人。

Jīngjì xiāotiáo yǐngxiǎng le hěnduō rén.

The economic depression has affected many people.

瑟的秋风吹过田野。

Xiāosè de qiūfēng chuī guò tiányě.

The desolate autumn wind blows across the fields.

索的冬景让人感到孤独。

Xiāosuǒ de dōngjǐng ràng rén gǎndào gūdú.

The bleak winter scenery makes people feel lonely.

尽管环境条,他依然坚持创业。

Jǐnguǎn huánjìng xiāotiáo, tā yīrán jiānchí chuàngyè.

Despite the bleak environment, he still insists on starting his own business.