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显赫 (xiǎn hè) — illustrious, celebrated (of family status, achievements, reputation, etc.)

Definition

显赫 describes high social or family status, power, or prestige — typically of background or position, not personal skill. More formal and status-focused than 著名 ('well-known') and 杰出 ('outstanding').

adjective
illustriouscelebrated (of family status, achievements, reputation, etc.)

Examples

  • 显赫。
    Tā de jiā zú bèi jǐng fēi cháng xiǎn hè.
    His family background is very illustrious.
  • 显赫。
    Zhè wèi kē xué jiā de chéng jiù shí fēn xiǎn hè.
    This scientist's achievements are immensely celebrated.
  • 显赫，。
    Tā chū shēn xiǎn hè, què cóng bú xuàn yào.
    He comes from an illustrious background but never flaunts it.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

显xiǎnprominent
赫hèglorious

Prominent and glorious combine to describe illustrious status.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 顯; 显 is its simplified writing.

  • 日日rìsun
  • 絲絲sīsilk
  • 頁頁yèperson's head

For 显, the traditional form 顯 is made of 日 (sun), 絲 (silk), and 頁 (person's head).

Open 显 →

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

赫 is made from two copies of the same part, and that part also gives its sound.

Open 赫 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Good & Bad

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