Definitions

xiāo used in 逍遙|逍遥[xiāo yáo]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character '逍' is structured with the ⻌ radical indicating movement and the component '肖' serving a phonetic role, originally associated with the concept of unobstructed walking or roaming. Its meaning became specialized through its fixed pairing in the compound '逍遥', evolving from a literal sense of physical wandering to convey an abstract idea of carefree leisure and unconstrained existence. Over centuries, the character lost any independent semantic function and is now exclusively used within this compound to express a state of philosophical ease and freedom.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他过着遥的生活。

Tā guòzhe xiāoyáo de shēnghuó.

He lives a carefree life.

我们想遥地度过周末。

Wǒmen xiǎng xiāoyáo de dùguò zhōumò.

We want to spend the weekend leisurely.

退休后他遥自在极了。

Tuìxiū hòu tā xiāoyáo zìzài jíle.

After retirement, he is extremely free and unfettered.

这是一种遥的人生态度。

Zhè shì yī zhǒng xiāoyáo de rénshēng tàidu.

This is a kind of carefree attitude towards life.

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,精神得以遥游。

Zài zhè shānshuǐ jiān, jīngshén déyǐ xiāoyáo yóu.

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