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嘻 (xī) — (interjection) an exclamation expressing surprise, alarm, or sorrow

Definition

An interjection mainly used in writing to express surprise, dismay, or a rueful laugh — like English "Alas!" or "Oh no!". Stronger and more literary than casual spoken exclamations such as 唉 or 哎呀.

interjection
an exclamation expressing surprise, alarm, or sorrow

Examples

  • 嘻！？
    xī! Nǐ zěn me zài zhè r?
    Ah! How come you're here?
  • 嘻，！
    xī, Zhè xià kě zāo le!
    Oh no, this is terrible!
  • 嘻，！
    xī, Yuán lái shì nǐ!
    Ah, it's you!

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
喜
喜xǐ嘻xī
Same sound today

嘻 is formed from 口, the mouth, plus 喜, which gives the sound.

Appears in
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