悬殊 (xuán shū) — widely different, showing a great disparity

Definition

Used to describe a very large gap between two things — usually strengths, costs, or conditions. It implies the difference is so big that comparison almost feels unfair.

adjective
widely differentshowing a great disparity

Examples

  • 悬殊，。
    Shuāng fāng shí lì xuán shū, bǐ sài méi yǒu xuán niàn.
    The two sides are far apart in strength, so the match has no suspense.
  • 悬殊，。
    Pín fù chā jù xuán shū, shè huì máo dùn jiā jù.
    The gap between rich and poor is enormous, worsening social conflicts.
  • 悬殊，。
    Zhè liǎng zhǒng fāng àn de chéng běn xuán shū, wǒ men xuǎn zé pián yi de.
    The costs of these two plans are vastly different, so we choose the cheaper one.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

悬xuánfar apart
殊shūdifferent

Both 悬 and 殊 point to a wide gap or difference, so the word means widely different.

Characters in this word

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 懸; 悬 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
縣
縣xiàn懸xuán
Same sound today

The traditional form 懸 adds 心, “heart,” to the older form 縣, which gave the sound. The simplified 悬 is a later abbreviation.

Open 悬 →

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
歺Written in full as歹dǎi
Sound part声符shēngfú
朱
朱zhū殊shū
Same sound today

The left part of 殊 is 歹, the meaning part; the right part is 朱, the sound part.

Open 殊 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Comparison & Degree

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