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亵渎 (xiè dú) — to blaspheme, to profane (sacred things); to defile, to desecrate (something noble or pure)

Definition

A formal, written verb meaning to profane or desecrate something sacred, noble, or pure — used for acts against gods, art, or feelings, not casual disrespect. Not used in everyday speech.

verb
to blasphemeto profane (sacred things)to defileto desecrate (something noble or pure)

Examples

  • 亵渎，。
    Tā bù gǎn xiè dú shén líng, zhī zài xīn zhōng mò mò qí dǎo.
    He did not dare to blaspheme the gods, only prayed silently in his heart.
  • 亵渎。
    Yòng jīn qián héng liáng ài qíng shì duì gǎn qíng de xiè dú.
    Measuring love with money is a desecration of feelings.
  • 亵渎。
    Zhè xiē yōng sú jié mù jiǎn zhí zài xiè dú yì shù.
    These vulgar shows are practically profaning art.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

亵xièdisrespect
渎dúdefile

亵 carries disrespect and 渎 carries defilement, together naming blasphemy.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 褻; 亵 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
衣衣yīclothes
Sound part声符shēngfú
埶
埶yì褻xiè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 褻 has 衣, clothes, and 埶, which supplies the sound.

Open 亵 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 瀆; 渎 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
水水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
𧶠
𧶠𧶠瀆dú
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 瀆 uses 水 to show water and 𧶠 to give the sound; the simplified 渎 is a shorthand.

Open 渎 →
Appears in
Religion & Belief

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