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讱 describes hesitant or cautious speech, suggesting deliberate thought rather than poor eloquence. It is a phono-semantic compound: the semantic radical 讠 (yán, speech) places it in the domain of vocal expression, while the right component 刃 (rèn, blade) provides the pronunciation and completes the structure. Its traditional form 訒 uses the unsimplified radical 言 (yán) with the same phonetic element. The etymology reflects a Confucian virtue, where speaking with restraint is valued as moral integrity, indicating carefulness in making promises one can fulfill.
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