Definitions

xiè (noun) bits; fragments; crumbs
xiè (adjective) trivial; trifling
xiè (verb) to condescend to

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 屑 is structurally composed of the semantic component 尸, commonly associated with the body or a base, and the phonetic component 肖, with its earliest attested meanings referring to small bits or fragments. This concrete sense of physical particles gradually extended into a metaphorical domain, where it began to denote matters considered trivial or insignificant. This semantic shift is reflected in classical and modern usage, particularly in lexical formations such as 不屑, where the character contributes to expressing disdain or the act of regarding something as unworthy, marking a transition from describing tangible debris to conveying abstract valuations of merit.

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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

桌子上有一些纸

Zhuōzi shàng yǒu yīxiē zhǐ xiè.

There are some paper scraps on the table.

他清理了地板上的食物

Tā qīnglǐ le dìbǎn shàng de shíwù xiè.

He cleaned up the food crumbs on the floor.

风吹走了地上的落叶

Fēng chuī zǒu le dì shàng de luòyè xiè.

The wind blew away the leaf fragments on the ground.

这些琐的事情不必担心。

Zhèxiē suǒxiè de shìqíng bùbì dānxīn.

These trivial matters need not be worried about.

他的态度显得很不

Tā de tàidù xiǎndé hěn bùxiè.

His attitude appears very disdainful.

不要为那些琐的争论浪费精力。

Bùyào wèi nàxiē suǒxiè de zhēnglùn làngfèi jīnglì.

Don't waste energy on those trivial arguments.

她对他的道歉表示不,转身离开了。

Tā duì tā de dàoqiàn biǎoshì bùxiè, zhuǎnshēn líkāi le.

She showed disdain for his apology and turned away.

对于这种琐的日常事务,他从来都不于亲自处理。

Duìyú zhè zhǒng suǒxiè de rìcháng shìwù, tā cónglái dōu bùxiè yú qīnzì chǔlǐ.

For such trivial daily affairs, he never deigns to handle them personally.