嫌

xián

兼 + 女

HSK 2.0Level 6

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

xián (verb) to dislike; to disapprove of

xián (noun) suspicion; resentment

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 女 represents the meaning and 兼 represents the sound.

Semantic: 女 Phonetic: 兼

About

嫌 is a phonosemantic compound combining the female radical 女, which often appears in characters related to emotions and interpersonal dynamics, with the phonetic component 兼. Its core meaning involves negative feelings such as dislike, suspicion, resentment, or holding a grudge, and it can describe both actively feeling annoyed or dissatisfied, and being the object of suspicion or ill will in a social context.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我嫌这里太吵。

Wǒ xián zhèlǐ tài chǎo.

I find this place too noisy.

她很嫌弃这件旧衣服。

Tā hěn xiánqì zhè jiàn jiù yīfu.

She really dislikes this old piece of clothing.

你嫌贵的话就别买了。

Nǐ xián guì dehuà jiù bié mǎi le.

If you think it's too expensive, then don't buy it.

大家都嫌他说话太啰嗦。

Dàjiā dōu xián tā shuōhuà tài luōsuō.

Everyone finds him too long-winded when he speaks.

他涉嫌参与了这次非法活动。

Tā shèxián cānyù le zhè cì fēifǎ huódòng.

He is suspected of being involved in this illegal activity.

我丝毫不嫌弃你的家庭背景。

Wǒ sīháo bù xiánqì nǐ de jiātíng bèijǐng.

I don't dislike your family background in the slightest.

千万别让他嫌弃你不够真诚。

Qiānwàn bié ràng tā xiánqì nǐ bùgòu zhēnchéng.

Be careful not to let him think you are not sincere enough.

他因涉嫌贪污而被警方调查。

Tā yīn shèxián tānwū ér bèi jǐngfāng diàochá.

He is under police investigation for suspicion of embezzlement.

Related Characters

Component: 兼

Component: 女

嫌