嫌

xián

兼 + 女

HSK 2.0Level 6

HSK 3.0Level 6

Frequency#1826

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

The character "嫌" is structured as a phono-semantic compound with the semantic component "女" denoting woman and the phonetic component "兼" indicating its pronunciation. Its early meanings centered on suspicion and jealousy, particularly in social or marital contexts involving women. Over time, the character's usage expanded to encompass a broader sense of dislike, aversion, or resentment, while occasionally still carrying undertones of distrust or contentiousness. The consistent composition of "女" and "兼" has supported this semantic shift, linking the character to human relational dynamics through its meaning component and preserving its auditory cue via the phonetic element.

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