Definitions

suì evil spirit

Etymology phono-semantic

spirit

Semantic:

About

The character "祟" is structured with "出" positioned above "示", combining the notion of emergence with matters of the spirit to denote a supernatural manifestation. Etymologically, it originally referred to a haunting or malicious influence caused by an evil spirit, a concept that has remained central to its meaning. Over time, while retaining this primary sense in compounds like "作祟" for ghostly trouble, its usage expanded to describe furtive behavior in the idiom "鬼鬼祟祟", illustrating a semantic shift from purely supernatural interference to include stealthy human actions.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的行为很鬼

Tā de xíng wéi hěn guǐ suì.

His behavior is very sneaky.

不要作害人。

Bù yào zuò suì hài rén.

Do not cause trouble to harm others.

迷信认为邪存在。

Mí xìn rèn wéi xié suì cún zài.

Superstition holds that evil spirits exist.

的动作引起怀疑。

Guǐ suì de dòng zuò yǐn qǐ huái yí.

Sneaky movements arouse suspicion.

暗中作的人终将被发现。

Àn zhōng zuò suì de rén zhōng jiāng bèi fā xiàn.

Those who act in secret will eventually be discovered.

消除邪是传统仪式的一部分。

Xiāo chú xié suì shì chuán tǒng yí shì de yī bù fèn.

Eliminating evil spirits is part of traditional rituals.

他的鬼态度让同事都不信任他。

Tā de guǐ suì tài dù ràng tóng shì dōu bù xìn rèn tā.

His sneaky attitude makes all his colleagues distrust him.

尽管他试图隐藏,但鬼的行径还是暴露了其意图。

Jǐn guǎn tā shì tú yǐn cáng, dàn guǐ suì de xíng jìng hái shì bào lù le qí yì tú.

Although he tried to conceal himself, his sneaky conduct still revealed his intentions.