惮

憚

dàn

单 + 忄

Definitions

dàn dread; fear; dislike

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 单 represents the sound. Simplified form of 憚.

Semantic: 忄 Phonetic: 单

About

The character 惮 (trad. 憚) is a phono-semantic compound. Its left-side component, the vertical heart radical 忄, indicates a semantic category related to emotions or mental states, while the right-side component 单 provides the phonetic value. It primarily conveys a sense of dread or apprehension toward an action, consequence, or person, often reflecting a deep-seated reluctance or aversion. In modern usage, it frequently appears in negative constructions or formal idioms to express a complete absence of fear or intimidation.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他不惮困难。

Tā bù dàn kùnnán.

He does not fear difficulties.

她忌惮他的批评。

Tā jìdàn tā de pīpíng.

She fears his criticism.

我们都不惮辛苦工作。

Wǒmen dōu bù dàn xīnkǔ gōngzuò.

None of us fear working hard.

孩子们惮于独自在家。

Háizimen dàn yú dúzì zài jiā.

The children are afraid of being home alone.

这位领导从不惮于做出艰难决定。

Zhè wèi lǐngdǎo cóng bù dàn yú zuò chū jiānnán juédìng.

This leader never fears making difficult decisions.

由于惮于后果，他选择了沉默。

Yóuyú dàn yú hòuguǒ, tā xuǎnzéle chénmò.

Due to fear of the consequences, he chose to remain silent.

尽管惮于公开演讲，他还是接受了邀请。

Jǐnguǎn dàn yú gōngkāi yǎnjiǎng, tā háishì jiēshòule yāoqǐng.

Although he fears public speaking, he still accepted the invitation.

在惮于失去朋友的同时，她也明白必须说出真相。

Zài dàn yú shīqù péngyou de tóngshí, tā yě míngbái bìxū shuō chū zhēnxiàng.

While fearing to lose friends, she also understands that she must tell the truth.

Related Characters

Component: 单

Component: 忄

惮