谑

謔

xuè

虐 + 讠

Definitions

xuè joy; to joke; to banter; to tease; to mock; Taiwan pr. [nvè]

Etymology

To use cruel 虐 words 讠; 虐 also provides the pronunciation

About

谑 (traditional form 謔) is a phono-semantic compound: the left side 言 (simplified 讠) marks the semantic domain of speech, while the right side 虐 is the phonetic and originally means cruelty. This creates an ironic contrast, as the character's actual meaning is to joke, tease, or engage in playful banter. It refers to making fun of someone in a humorous and sometimes pointed way, yet typically lighthearted and free of genuine malice. The sense is one of witty mockery or gentle ridicule, the kind of affectionate roasting that livens social gatherings. In literary contexts, 谑 describes clever repartee and the spirited, teasing exchanges between friends, underscoring playfulness rather than oppressive cruelty.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他喜欢戏谑朋友。

Tā xǐhuān xìxuè péngyou.

He likes to tease friends.

我们常常互相戏谑。

Wǒmen chángcháng hùxiāng xìxuè.

We often tease each other.

在聚会上他总爱戏谑别人。

Zài jùhuì shàng tā zǒng ài xìxuè biérén.

At parties, he always likes to tease others.

他的话语带有谐谑的意味。

Tā de huàyǔ dài yǒu xiéxuè de yìwèi.

His words carry a humorous tone.

虽然他是戏谑，但有些人会当真。

Suīrán tā shì xìxuè, dàn yǒuxiē rén huì dàngzhēn.

Although he is teasing, some people might take it seriously.

那段谐谑的对话让大家笑了很久。

Nà duàn xiéxuè de duìhuà ràng dàjiā xiào le hěn jiǔ.

That humorous conversation made everyone laugh for a long time.

他以其独特的谐谑风格赢得了观众的喜爱。

Tā yǐ qí dútè de xiéxuè fēnggé yíngdé le guānzhòng de xǐ'ài.

He won the audience's affection with his unique humorous style.

在严肃的讨论中插入适当的戏谑可以缓解气氛。

Zài yánsù de tǎolùn zhōng chārù shìdàng de xìxuè kěyǐ huǎnjiě qìfēn.

Inserting appropriate teasing in a serious discussion can ease the tension.

Related Characters

Component: 虐

Component: 讠

谑