蹑

躡

niè

聂 + 𧾷

Definitions

niè to walk on tiptoe; to walk quietly; to tread (on); to follow

Etymology

To walk 足 quietly 聂; 聂 also provides the pronunciation

About

蹑 (traditional form 躡) combines the foot radical 足, indicating that the meaning involves the feet, with 聂, which gives the meaning "quietly" and the sound. The character's original sense is to walk quietly, step lightly, or tread stealthily, especially to avoid being noticed. From this, it developed the extended meanings of closely following someone and tracking their footsteps. It is used in literary compounds expressing careful movement, ascending stairs, or wearing particular types of shoes or boots, always retaining a focus on deliberate and controlled footwork.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他蹑手蹑脚地走进房间。

Tā nièshǒunièjiǎo de zǒu jìn fángjiān.

He tiptoed into the room.

小偷在黑暗中蹑足前行。

Xiǎotōu zài hēi'àn zhōng nièzú qiánxíng.

The thief moved stealthily forward in the darkness.

她怕吵醒婴儿，只得蹑着脚走路。

Tā pà chǎoxǐng yīng'ér, zhǐdé niè zhe jiǎo zǒulù.

Afraid of waking the baby, she had to walk on tiptoe.

我蹑手蹑脚地走到他身后，想吓他一跳。

Wǒ nièshǒunièjiǎo de zǒu dào tā shēnhòu, xiǎng xià tā yī tiào.

I crept up behind him on tiptoe, wanting to give him a fright.

侦察兵蹑影追风，迅速接近了敌方据点。

Zhēnchábīng niè yǐng zhuī fēng, xùnsù jiējìn le dìfāng jùdiǎn.

The scout moved with lightning speed and stealth, quickly approaching the enemy stronghold.

他小心翼翼地蹑着台阶下楼，生怕发出声响。

Tā xiǎoxīnyìyì de niè zhe táijiē xià lóu, shēng pà fāchū shēngxiǎng.

He carefully descended the stairs on tiptoe, afraid of making any sound.

探险者蹑迹潜踪，深入丛林寻找古老的遗迹。

Tànxiǎn zhě niè jì qián zōng, shēnrù cónglín xúnzhǎo gǔlǎo de yíjì.

The explorer followed the trail stealthily, delving deep into the jungle in search of ancient ruins.

为了捕捉这转瞬即逝的灵感，他蹑景追飞，迅速记录下每一个细节。

Wèile bǔzhuō zhè zhuǎnshùnjíshì de línggǎn, tā niè jǐng zhuī fēi, xùnsù jìlù xià měi yīgè xìjié.

To capture this fleeting inspiration, he pursued it with utmost speed and focus, quickly jotting down every detail.

Related Characters

Component: 聂

Component: 𧾷

蹑