Definitions

curse; swear (oath)

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "诅", meaning to curse, derives from its traditional form "詛", which structurally integrates the speech radical "言" with the component "且", the latter primarily serving a phonetic function while possibly echoing ritual contexts where such invocations were made. This composition underscores the verbal act of cursing, initially denoting formal imprecations or oaths that called upon supernatural forces to inflict harm. Over centuries, its semantic scope widened to encompass everyday acts of swearing or damning, shifting from specific ritualistic use to general malevolent speech. The simplified form "诅" maintains the phonetic element "且" but replaces the traditional radical with the simplified speech radical "讠", aligning with broader orthographic patterns.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

不要咒别人。

Bù yào zǔzhòu bié rén.

Do not curse others.

他在暗中咒。

Tā zài àn zhōng zǔzhòu.

He is cursing in secret.

咒她的敌人。

Tā zǔzhòu tā de dírén.

She curses her enemies.

昨天他咒了天气。

Zuótiān tā zǔzhòu le tiānqì.

Yesterday he cursed the weather.

因为失败,他咒命运。

Yīnwèi shībài, tā zǔzhòu mìngyùn.

Because of failure, he cursed fate.

他一边走路,一边咒。

Tā yībiān zǒulù, yībiān zǔzhòu.

He walks while cursing.

他认为咒没有用。

Tā rènwéi zǔzhòu méiyǒu yòng.

He thinks cursing is useless.

每当遇到困难,他都会咒,但之后还是努力解决。

Měi dāng yù dào kùnnán, tā dōu huì zǔzhòu, dàn zhīhòu háishì nǔlì jiějué.

Whenever he encounters difficulties, he curses, but afterwards he still tries to solve them.