() — repeatedly, time and again (formal/literary; commonly used in 屡次)

Definition

屡 is a formal/literary adverb meaning 'repeatedly' — stronger than 时常 ('often') and typically appears in compounds like 屡次 and 屡屡. Use it in writing, not everyday speech.

adverb
repeatedlytime and again (formal/literary; commonly used in 屡次)

Examples

  • Tā lǚ cì chí dào, bèi jīng lǐ pī píng le.
    He was repeatedly late and was criticized by the manager.
  • Zhè ge wèn tí lǚ cì chū xiàn, bì xū jiě jué.
    This problem appears repeatedly; it must be solved.
  • Tā lǚ cì cháng shì, zhōng yú chéng gōng le.
    She tried time and again and finally succeeded.

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 屢; 屡 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Sound part声符shēngfú
lóu
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 屢 pairs 尸 with 婁; 尸 relates to the meaning and 婁 gives the sound. This note is about 屢, not about the simplified 屡.

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