懈

xiè

忄 + 解

Definitions

xiè (adjective) lax; negligent

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 解 represents the sound.

Semantic: 忄 Phonetic: 解

About

懈 is a phono-semantic compound: the heart radical 忄 (a form of 心) on the left signals a psychological state, while 解 on the right provides the sound. 解 itself means "loosen" or "untie", reinforcing the idea of mental relaxation. Together, they yield the core meaning of a slackened mind, laziness, negligence, or a lack of vigilance, describing a state where concentration or effort becomes loose and unfocused. Historically, it appears in admonitions against carelessness and the failure to maintain strict discipline and persistent effort.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们学习不能松懈。

Wǒmen xuéxí bùnéng sōngxiè.

We cannot slack off in studying.

他对工作从不懈怠。

Tā duì gōngzuò cóng bù xièdài.

He is never negligent in his work.

即使累了，她也不松懈。

Jíshǐ lèi le, tā yě bù sōngxiè.

Even when tired, she does not slack off.

你要保持努力，不要松懈。

Nǐ yào bǎochí nǔlì, bùyào sōngxiè.

You must keep working hard and not slack off.

虽然任务完成了，但我们不能松懈，还要继续改进。

Suīrán rènwù wánchéng le, dàn wǒmen bùnéng sōngxiè, hái yào jìxù gǎijìn.

Although the task is completed, we cannot slack off and must continue to improve.

他的不懈努力终于带来了成功。

Tā de bùxiè nǔlì zhōngyú dàilái le chénggōng.

His unremitting efforts finally brought success.

由于长期不懈的练习，她的技能提高了很多。

Yóuyú chángqī bùxiè de liànxí, tā de jìnéng tígāo le hěnduō.

Due to long-term unremitting practice, her skills have improved a lot.

为了防止质量下降，管理层要求员工在任何时候都不松懈。

Wèile fángzhǐ zhìliàng xiàjiàng, guǎnlǐ céng yāoqiú yuángōng zài rènhé shíhòu dōu bù sōngxiè.

To prevent quality decline, management requires employees not to slack off at any time.

Related Characters

Component: 忄

Component: 解

懈