悄 (qiāo) — quiet, silent (bound form)

Definition

悄 (qiāo) is a bound form used only in 悄悄 (quietly) and 静悄悄 (very quiet) — never stands alone. Often pairs with 地 to modify a verb, as in 悄悄地.

bound form
quietsilent (bound form)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 。
    Tā qiāo qiāo de zǒu jìn le fáng jiān.
    He quietly entered the room.
  • 。
    Jiào shì lǐ jìng qiāo qiāo de.
    The classroom is very quiet.
  • 。
    Tā qiāo qiāo de gào sù wǒ yí gè mì mì.
    She quietly told me a secret.

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
忄Written in full as心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
肖
肖xiào悄qiǎo
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

悄 is made from 忄, a form of 心 meaning heart, and 肖, which provides the sound.

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