Definitions

què modest; sincere

Etymology phono-semantic

heart

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character (traditional ) is a phono-semantic compound: the bottom radical (heart/mind) signals emotions and inner dispositions, while the top component (traditional 𣪊) supplies the pronunciation. Its meaning centers on sincerity, honesty, and genuine respect, a pure, straightforward nature, and it appears mainly in classical texts to commend sincere moral character.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern