Definitions

ashamed

Etymology phono-semantic

heart

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 恧 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 心 (heart/mind) at the bottom, indicating it relates to an emotional or psychological state. The phonetic component 而 above it provides the pronunciation. Its core meaning is the feeling of deep shame or embarrassment, typically describing a person's acute awareness of their own moral failing or inadequacy, and it is primarily found in classical Chinese literature as a formal literary expression.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern