Definitions

xiè used in 邂逅[xiè hòu]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phonosemantic compound conveying the idea of meeting unexpectedly or by chance. The semantic component indicates walking or movement, suggesting an encounter on the move. The right side (xiè) marks the pronunciation, even though this component has other readings and meanings when used on its own. The character rarely appears alone; it is almost always part of the bound disyllabic word 邂逅 (xièhòu), a somewhat formal literary term that precisely captures a chance, unplanned encounter between people.

Etymology Hide

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