Definitions

è (adjective) terrible; frightening

Etymology

A jade statue  with four holes made in it 

About

The character "噩" derives from an etymological association with sudden shock or alarm, and its structure is defined by four "口" radicals positioned around a central element, creating a visual impression of multiple mouths voicing outcry or distress. Initially conveying a sense of being astounded or shaken, its semantic range gradually narrowed to specifically denote that which is portentous, dreadful, or associated with misfortune, a shift observable in its modern applications within words such as "噩梦" for nightmare or "噩耗" for grievous news. This transition from general astonishment to a focused expression of calamity illustrates how the character's formative logic of collective vocalization came to embody concepts of profound adversity.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我经常做梦。

Wǒ jīngcháng zuò èmèng.

I often have nightmares.

他昨晚被梦惊醒了。

Tā zuó wǎn bèi èmèng jīngxǐng le.

He was awakened by a nightmare last night.

这个消息简直是耗。

Zhège xiāoxī jiǎnzhí shì èhào.

This news is simply bad news.

耗传来,大家都很悲伤。

Èhào chuán lái, dàjiā dōu hěn bēishāng.

Bad news came, and everyone was very sad.

运似乎一直伴随着他。

Èyùn sìhū yīzhí bànsuízhe tā.

Bad luck seems to have been with him all along.

听到耗时,她忍不住哭了。

Tīng dào èhào shí, tā rěnbùzhù kū le.

When she heard the bad news, she couldn't help but cry.

连续几天的梦让他精神不振。

Liánxù jǐ tiān de èmèng ràng tā jīngshén bù zhèn.

Several consecutive days of nightmares have left him in low spirits.

尽管兆不断,他们仍决定继续前进。

Jǐnguǎn èzhào bùduàn, tāmen réng juédìng jìxù qiánjìn.

Despite constant ill omens, they still decided to press on.