Definitions

xiāo (verb) to sell
xiāo (verb) to melt; to dissolve
xiāo (verb) to eliminate; to cancel

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "销" in its traditional form "銷" is structured with the metal radical 金 on the left and the phonetic component 肖 on the right, indicating its early association with metalworking. Its original meaning centered on melting or casting metal, which later expanded to include the concept of causing something to dissipate or be consumed, akin to metal dissolving under heat. This semantic shift allowed the character to acquire meanings related to selling, as in the disposal of commodities, and to canceling or annulling, such as in the termination of contracts or obligations, while the simplified form maintains the same compositional elements with the metal radical 钅.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这本书售得很好。

Zhè běn shū xiāoshòu de hěn hǎo.

This book sells very well.

公司撤了那个决定。

Gōngsī chèxiāo le nàgè juédìng.

The company revoked that decision.

我可以报这些费用。

Wǒ kěyǐ bàoxiāo zhèxiē fèiyòng.

I can get these expenses reimbursed.

新产品需要大力推

Xīn chǎnpǐn xūyào dàlì tuīxiāo.

The new product needs vigorous promotion.

他试图毁犯罪证据。

Tā shìtú xiāohuǐ fànzuì zhèngjù.

He attempted to destroy the criminal evidence.

这批货物已经滞很久了。

Zhè pī huòwù yǐjīng zhìxiāo hěn jiǔ le.

This batch of goods has been unsalable for a long time.

那家公司因经营不善而声匿迹了。

Nà jiā gōngsī yīn jīngyíng bùshàn ér xiāo shēng nì jì le.

That company faded into obscurity due to poor management.

多年的挫折使他的热情逐渐蚀。

Duō nián de cuòzhé shǐ tā de rèqíng zhújiàn xiāoshí.

Years of setbacks gradually eroded his enthusiasm.