谴 (qiǎn) — (bound form) to denounce, to censure

Definition

谴 (qiǎn) is a bound form used almost exclusively in 谴责 ('to denounce, to condemn'). It never stands alone — always pair it with 责 to form the verb.

bound form
to denounceto censure

Examples

  • 。
    Wǒ men qiǎn zé zhè zhǒng xíng wéi.
    We condemn this kind of behavior.
  • 。
    Tā yīn wèi shī zhí shòu dào le qiǎn zé.
    He was censured for dereliction of duty.
  • 。
    Zhè zhǒng bú dào dé de xíng wéi zāo dào le gōng zhòng de qiǎn zé.
    This immoral behavior received public condemnation.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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 譴; 谴 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Sound part声符shēngfú
遣
遣qiǎn譴qiǎn
Same sound today

The traditional form 譴 has 言, showing speech, and 遣, giving the sound. The simplified 谴 is a later shorthand.

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