Definitions

jiē sigh; also pr. [juē]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "嗟" derives from a phono-semantic composition, integrating the semantic radical "口" to signify functions of the mouth such as utterance, with the component "差" serving primarily as a phonetic indicator. Its etymology points to an initial role as an interjection expressing sighing or lament, a core meaning that has been preserved across its historical usage. In early literary contexts, the character was commonly utilized to convey sorrow, regret, or to issue a call, often appearing in poetic and philosophical texts. Over time, while its form remained consistent, its application gradually receded from everyday language, becoming more archaic and reserved for fixed expressions or classical references, yet without fundamental alteration to its original semantic import tied to vocalized emotion.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他常常叹生活。

Tā chángcháng jiētàn shēnghuó.

He often sighs about life.

听到坏消息,她叹不已。

Tīng dào huài xiāoxī, tā jiētàn bùyǐ.

Hearing the bad news, she sighed endlessly.

在寂静的夜晚,他独自叹。

Zài jìjìng de yèwǎn, tā dúzì jiētàn.

In the quiet night, he sighed alone.

叹着过去的错误,无法释怀。

Tā jiētàn zhe guòqù de cuòwù, wúfǎ shìhuái.

Sighing over past mistakes, he couldn't let go.

面对困难,我们不应只是叹,而要行动。

Miàn duì kùnnán, wǒmen bù yīng zhǐshì jiētàn, ér yào xíngdòng.

Facing difficulties, we should not just sigh, but take action.

他的叹声中充满了无奈和悔恨。

Tā de jiētàn shēng zhōng chōngmǎn le wúnài hé huǐhèn.

His sighs were full of helplessness and regret.

尽管成功在望,他仍不免叹时光流逝。

Jǐnguǎn chénggōng zài wàng, tā réng bùmiǎn jiētàn shíguāng liúshì.

Although success is in sight, he still couldn't help sighing at the passage of time.

在人生的十字路口,每一声叹都映照着内心的挣扎与抉择。

Zài rénshēng de shízì lùkǒu, měi yī shēng jiētàn dōu yìngzhào zhe nèixīn de zhēngzhá yǔ juézé.

At the crossroads of life, every sigh reflects the inner struggle and choice.