Definitions

qiǎn (verb) to dispatch; to send
qiǎn (verb) to dispel

Etymology

Depicts a pair of hands (𦥑) sending out an army () from the military. The (walk) component was later added.

Semantic:

About

The character "遣" is structured with the movement radical 辶 and the phonetic component "䙴", which together originally conveyed the idea of sending or directing someone along a path. Its primary meaning of "to send" or "to dispatch" has remained central, as seen in classical texts and modern compounds like "派遣", but it also developed secondary meanings such as "to dismiss" or "to expel", evident in terms like "遣散". Over time, the character's usage expanded into figurative realms, such as in "消遣", where it denotes the diversion or relief of oneself, demonstrating a shift from concrete actions to more abstract applications while retaining its etymological link to movement and direction.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

公司派他去国外。

Gōngsī pàiqiǎn tā qù guówài.

The company dispatched him abroad.

他常以读书消时光。

Tā cháng yǐ dúshū xiāoqiǎn shíguāng.

He often passes the time by reading.

政府返了非法移民。

Zhèngfǔ qiǎnfǎnle fēfǎ yímín.

The government repatriated the illegal immigrants.

将军调军队前往边境。

Jiāngjūn diàoqiǎn jūnduì qiánwǎng biānjìng.

The general deployed troops to the border.

这份工作让他感到消又充实。

Zhè fèn gōngzuò ràng tā gǎndào xiāoqiǎn yòu chōngshí.

This job makes him feel both entertained and fulfilled.

他被送到了遥远的边疆地区。

Tā bèi qiǎnsòng dàole yáoyuǎn de biānjiāng dìqū.

He was sent to a remote border area.

如何排心中的郁闷是个难题。

Rúhé páiqiǎn xīnzhōng de yùmèn shìgè nántí.

How to dispel the gloom in one's heart is a difficult problem.

外交官奉命词造句以回应质询。

Wàijiāoguān fèngmìng qiǎncízàojù yǐ huíyìng zhìxún.

The diplomat was ordered to carefully phrase a response to the inquiry.