谍

諜

dié

枼 + 讠

Definitions

dié to spy

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 枼 represents the sound. Simplified form of 諜.

Semantic: 讠 Phonetic: 枼

About

谍 (dié) is a phono-semantic compound and the simplified form of 諜, combining the speech radical 讠 (yán) with the phonetic 枼 (yè). Originally, it meant chattering or verbally relaying information among individuals. This sense later specialized in military and political contexts to mean spying, intelligence-gathering, and acting as a secret agent, shifting from general communication to the clandestine acquisition and reporting of enemy secrets.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我发现了一个间谍。

Wǒ fāxiànle yīgè jiàndié.

I discovered a spy.

谍报工作很重要。

Diébào gōngzuò hěn zhòngyào.

Intelligence work is very important.

这部小说描写了谍战。

Zhè bù xiǎoshuō miáoxiěle diézhàn.

This novel depicts espionage warfare.

军队加强了防谍措施。

Jūnduì jiāqiángle fángdié cuòshī.

The military has strengthened counter-espionage measures.

间谍利用高科技收集情报。

Jiàndié lìyòng gāo kējì shōují qíngbào.

Spies use high technology to collect intelligence.

如果谍报泄露，后果将很严重。

Rúguǒ diébào xièlòu, hòuguǒ jiāng hěn yánzhòng.

If intelligence is leaked, the consequences will be very serious.

这名间谍被敌方成功策反了。

Zhè míng jiàndié bèi dífāng chénggōng cèfǎnle.

This spy was successfully turned by the enemy.

在复杂的国际局势中，谍报人员必须保持高度警惕。

Zài fùzá de guójì júshì zhōng, diébào rényuán bìxū bǎochí gāodù jǐngtì.

In the complex international situation, intelligence personnel must maintain high vigilance.

Related Characters

Component: 枼

Component: 讠

谍