殆

dài

台 + 歹

Definitions

dài (literary) dangerous; perilous; (literary) almost; well-nigh

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 歹 represents the meaning and 台 represents the sound.

Semantic: 歹 Phonetic: 台

About

殆 is a phonosemantic compound: the left radical 歹, meaning 'death' and 'decay', provides the semantic category, while the right component 台 indicates the pronunciation. The character primarily means 'danger' or 'peril', a sense derived from the 歹 radical's association with death and decay. In classical Chinese and formal modern usage, it also serves as an adverb meaning 'almost', 'nearly', or 'probably'. It is commonly found in philosophical texts and idioms that caution against stagnation, highlighting the destructive or dangerous outcomes.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的努力殆無效果。

Tā de nǔlì dài wú xiàoguǒ.

His efforts almost have no effect.

這場戰爭殆將結束。

Zhè chǎng zhànzhēng dài jiāng jiéshù.

This war is almost over.

他的健康狀況危殆。

Tā de jiànkāng zhuàngkuàng wēidài.

His health condition is critical.

我們的工作殆已完成。

Wǒmen de gōngzuò dài yǐ wánchéng.

Our work is almost finished.

如果再不採取行動，機會殆失。

Rúguǒ zài bù cǎiqǔ xíngdòng, jīhuì dài shī.

If we don't take action soon, the opportunity will almost be lost.

經過多次試驗，成功殆在眼前。

Jīngguò duōcì shìyàn, chénggōng dài zài yǎnqián.

After many experiments, success is almost within sight.

公司的資源殆盡，必須尋找新的投資。

Gōngsī de zīyuán dàijìn, bìxū xúnzhǎo xīn de tóuzī.

The company's resources are almost exhausted, and new investment must be sought.

在經濟殆盡崩潰的邊緣，政府推出了新的刺激方案。

Zài jīngjì dàijìn bēngkuì de biānyuán, zhèngfǔ tuīchūle xīn de cìjī fāng'àn.

On the brink of the economy almost collapsing, the government introduced a new stimulus plan.

Related Characters

Component: 台

Component: 歹

殆