亵 (xiè) — (bound form) irreverent, disrespectful, obscene (used in compound words)
Definition
A literary bound form meaning 'irreverent, obscene' — used only inside compounds like 亵渎 (blaspheme) and 亵衣 (underwear, in classical texts). Carries a strong sense of violating what is sacred or decent, not light profanity.
bound form
irreverentdisrespectfulobscene (used in compound words)
Examples
- 。Tā zhǐ zé zhè zhǒng xiè dú shén líng de xíng wéi.He criticized this kind of blasphemous behavior.
- 。Zhè zhǒng xíng wéi tài wěi xiè le.This kind of behavior is too obscene.
- 亵。Gǔ rén de xiè yī yě hěn yǒu jiǎng jiu.Ancient people's underwear was also very particular.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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.
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.
Appears in
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