逍

xiāo

肖 + 辶

Definitions

xiāo used in 逍遙|逍遥[xiāo yáo]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 肖 represents the sound.

Semantic: 辶 Phonetic: 肖

About

逍 is a phono-semantic compound combining the movement radical 辶 (meaning 'walking' or 'wandering') with the phonetic component 肖. It appears almost exclusively in the binomial 逍遥 (xiāoyáo), which denotes a state of leisurely, unfettered roaming. This compound carries deep philosophical resonance in Daoism, especially in the Zhuangzi, where it represents the spiritual ideal of spontaneous freedom, complete liberation from worldly attachments, and release from the constraints of social convention.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他过着逍遥的生活。

Tā guòzhe xiāoyáo de shēnghuó.

He lives a carefree life.

我们想逍遥地度过周末。

Wǒmen xiǎng xiāoyáo de dùguò zhōumò.

We want to spend the weekend leisurely.

退休后他逍遥自在极了。

Tuìxiū hòu tā xiāoyáo zìzài jíle.

After retirement, he is extremely free and unfettered.

这是一种逍遥的人生态度。

Zhè shì yī zhǒng xiāoyáo de rénshēng tàidu.

This is a kind of carefree attitude towards life.

他逍遥法外很多年了。

Tā xiāoyáo fǎ wài hěn duō nián le.

He has been above the law for many years.

真正的逍遥来自内心的平静。

Zhēnzhèng de xiāoyáo láizì nèixīn de píngjìng.

True carefreeness comes from inner peace.

他抛开烦恼，独自逍遥去了。

Tā pāokāi fánnǎo, dúzì xiāoyáo qùle.

He cast aside his worries and went off to enjoy himself alone.

在这山水间，精神得以逍遥游。

Zài zhè shānshuǐ jiān, jīngshén déyǐ xiāoyáo yóu.

Amidst these mountains and waters, the spirit is able to wander freely.

Related Characters

Component: 肖

Component: 辶

逍