可欺 (kě qī) — gullible; easily cowed

Definition

可欺 describes someone who looks like an easy target — naive enough to be tricked or too soft to push back. Often used to warn that the appearance is misleading.

adjective
gullibleeasily cowed

Examples

  • 可欺，。
    Tā kàn qǐ lái kě qī, qí shí hěn cōng ming.
    He looks gullible, but he's actually very smart.
  • 可欺。
    Bú yào yīn wèi tā de wài biǎo jiù rèn wéi tā kě qī.
    Don't think he's easily cowed just because of his appearance.
  • ，可欺。
    Zài gōng sī lǐ, tài kě qī de rén róng yì bèi lì yòng.
    In the company, people who are too gullible are easily taken advantage of.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

可kěcan
欺qībully

可 gives can, and 欺 gives bully; the sense is able to be bullied, hence gullible or easily cowed.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
丂
丂kǎo可kě
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

可 pairs 口 (mouth) with 丂 as a sound part; it is tied to air from the mouth, perhaps singing.

Open 可 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
欠欠qiànbreath
Sound part声符shēngfú
其
其qí欺qī
Same sound today

欺 is made of 其, which gives its sound, and 欠, which means breath.

Open 欺 →

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