奸

姦

jiān

女 + 干

Definitions

jiān (adjective) wicked; crafty; treacherous

jiān (noun) traitor

jiān (verb) to rape; to violate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 女 represents the meaning and 干 represents the sound. Simplified form of 姦.

Semantic: 女 Phonetic: 干

About

奸 is a phonosemantic compound: the radical 女 (woman) on the left carries the meaning, and 干 (gān) on the right indicates the sound. It is the simplified form of 姦, an ideograph of three 女 stacked together, historically reflecting patriarchal biases that groups of women connote scheming. Its meanings encompass wickedness, treachery, and deceit, often describing traitors, cunning individuals, or malicious plots, as well as illicit sexual relations, adultery, or assault, denoting serious violations of social and ethical norms.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个奸商卖假货。

Zhège jiānshāng mài jiǎhuò.

This unscrupulous merchant sells fake goods.

他非常奸诈狡猾。

Tā fēicháng jiānzhà jiǎohuá.

He is very crafty and sly.

战争时期出现了很多汉奸。

Zhànzhēng shíqī chūxiànle hěnduō hànjiān.

During the war, many traitors appeared.

他的奸计最终被识破了。

Tā de jiānjì zuìzhōng bèi shípòle.

His treacherous scheme was finally seen through.

那个政治家因为奸猾的手段而闻名。

Nàgè zhèngzhìjiā yīnwèi jiānhuá de shǒuduàn ér wénmíng.

That politician is famous for his crafty methods.

虽然他知道奸商的行为不对，但还是选择了合作。

Suīrán tā zhīdào jiānshāng de xíngwéi bùduì, dàn háishì xuǎnzéle hézuò.

Although he knew the unscrupulous merchant's behavior was wrong, he still chose to cooperate.

在历史上，那些奸臣往往为了个人利益出卖国家。

Zài lìshǐ shàng, nàxiē jiānchén wǎngwǎng wèile gèrén lìyì chūmài guójiā.

In history, those treacherous officials often betrayed the country for personal gain.

法律应该严厉惩罚那些犯下奸恶罪行的人。

Fǎlǜ yīnggāi yánlì chéngfá nàxiē fàn xià jiān'è zuìxíng de rén.

The law should severely punish those who commit wicked crimes.

Related Characters

Component: 女

Component: 干

奸