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中邪 (zhòng xié) — to be bewitched or possessed (by evil spirits)

Definition

A vivid colloquial expression meaning to be 'bewitched / possessed by evil spirits,' used for someone acting crazy, dazed, or out of character. Also used figuratively to mock someone smitten or obsessed (e.g., 像中邪了 like bewitched).

verb
to be bewitched or possessed (by evil spirits)

Examples

  • ，。
    Tā zhōng guò xié, xiàn zài hǎo le.
    He was possessed, but now he's fine.
  • 中邪。
    Tā kàn qǐ lái xiàng zhòng xié le.
    He looks as if he's possessed.
  • ，中邪。
    Bié xìn tā, tā zhòng xié le.
    Don't believe him; he's possessed.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

中zhōngstruck by
邪xiéevil spirits

“中” struck by and “邪” evil spirits form being bewitched.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The original picture showed a flagpole with a drum in the middle, set up in the center of a field.

Open 中 →

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
邑邑yìtown; city
Sound part声符shēngfú
牙
牙yá邪xié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

邪 puts 牙 beside 邑 (town; city): 牙 gives the sound, and 邑 shows it was first used in a place name. It was later used for strange or evil meanings.

Open 邪 →
Appears in
Mythology & Folklore

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