Definitions

xiè (verb) to thank; to express gratitude
xiè (verb) to apologize
xiè (verb) to wither (of flowers, leaves)

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "谢", traditionally written as "謝", is structurally composed of the speech radical "言" (simplified to "讠") and the component "射", which originally functioned as a phonetic element despite a shift in pronunciation over time. Etymologically, the character's early meanings centered on verbal acts of declining, withdrawing, or taking leave, as reflected in classical texts. Its semantic scope later broadened to include expressing thanks, a sense likely derived from formal rituals of polite refusal that gradually specialized into gratitude, while also acquiring meanings such as "to wither" for plants and "to apologize" for expressing regret. The modern form retains this basic construction, and though all historical meanings survive in specific contexts, the sense of "to thank" has become the most prevalent in everyday language.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

你来看我。

Xièxie nǐ lái kàn wǒ.

Thank you for coming to see me.

我感你的支持。

Wǒ gǎnxiè nǐ de zhīchí.

I thank you for your support.

绝了那份工作。

Tā xièjué le nà fèn gōngzuò.

She declined that job.

玫瑰凋得很快。

Méiguī diāoxiè de hěn kuài.

Roses wither quickly.

他为自己错误罪。

Tā wèi zìjǐ cuòwù xièzuì.

He apologized for his mistake.

音乐会以幕结束。

Yīnyuèhuì yǐ xièmù jiéshù.

The concert ended with a curtain call.

公司今日客盘点。

Gōngsī jīnrì xiè kè pándiǎn.

The company is closed to visitors for inventory today.

尽管他绝了帮助,我仍然感他。

Jǐnguǎn tā xièjué le bāngzhù, wǒ réngrán gǎnxiè tā.

Even though he declined help, I still thank him.