Definitions

xīng (adjective) fishy; raw meat smell

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 腥 is a phono-semantic compound referring to odors associated with animal matter. Its semantic radical 月, derived from 肉 (meat/flesh), places it in the domain of flesh or organic tissue. The component 星 (star) serves as the phonetic element, indicating pronunciation. The primary meaning is the distinctive, often unpleasant smell of raw meat, blood, or fish, the standard term for such raw, fishy, or bloody odors linked to unprepared animal substances.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这条鱼有点

Zhè tiáo yú yǒudiǎn xīng.

This fish is a bit fishy.

他不喜欢的食物。

Tā bù xǐhuān xīng de shíwù.

He doesn't like fishy food.

厨房里充满了味。

Chúfáng lǐ chōngmǎn le xīngwèi.

The kitchen is filled with a fishy smell.

气从海边飘来。

Xīngqì cóng hǎibiān piāo lái.

The fishy smell drifts from the seaside.

清洗后味减轻了。

Qīngxǐ hòu xīngwèi jiǎnqīng le.

After washing, the fishy smell reduced.

这场面太血了。

Zhè chǎngmiàn tài xuèxīng le.

This scene is too bloody.

臭的气味让人作呕。

Xīngchòu de qìwèi ràng rén zuò'ǒu.

The fishy and foul smell makes people nauseous.

去除味需要一些技巧。

Qùchú xīngwèi xūyào yīxiē jìqiǎo.

Removing the fishy smell requires some skill.