惺 (xīng) — (bound form) intelligent, clever (used in compounds like 惺惺); (bound form) awake, aware (used in literary contexts)
Definition
A literary bound form, almost always seen in 惺惺 (talented/aware) or 惺忪 (half-awake). It does not stand alone — use it as part of a compound like 惺惺相惜 or 假惺惺.
bound form
intelligentclever (used in compounds like 惺惺)awakeaware (used in literary contexts)
Easily confused
- 猩xīnglook-alikebound morpheme used in compound words for great apes (orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee)
- 星xīngsound-alikestar, celestial body
- 腥xīnglook-alikefishy (smell or taste)
- 兴xīngsound-alikeexcitement; thrill
- 悍hànlook-alikebrave, fierce, ferocious (bound form)
- 骍xīngsound-alike(literary) reddish color (of horses, cattle)
Examples
- 惺惺，。Zhè liǎng wèi yì shù jiā xīng xīng xiāng xī, hù xiāng xīn shǎng.These two artists, both highly talented, appreciate each other.
- ，惺。Tā biǎo miàn shàng zhuāng shuì, qí shí xīn lǐ hěn xīng xīng.He pretended to be asleep on the surface, but inside he was very aware.
- 惺，。Zhè piān wén zhāng chū zì yí wèi xīng xīng zhī shǒu, suǒ yǐ jiàn jiě shēn kè.This article was written by a wise person, so the insights are profound.
Appears in
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