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 蕭 is a phono-semantic compound character, primarily denoting a type of mugwort or a desolate, dreary state. Its semantic component is the grass radical 艹 (cǎo), indicating a plant. The phonetic component is 肅 (sù), which suggests solemnity. The character originally referred to an aromatic plant used in ancient rituals. Over time, it developed a strong association with melancholy or bleakness, often used in poetry to evoke the sound of autumn winds or a barren landscape. It is also a common surname. The simplified form 萧 retains the grass radical 艹 but replaces the complex phonetic element 肅 with the simpler 肅 for ease of writing.

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.