惊险 (jīng xiǎn) — thrilling and dangerous (used for experiences,… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Adjective for experiences that are thrilling BECAUSE they feel dangerous (movies, games, escapes). Unlike 危险, no real harm is implied — the danger is the excitement.

adjective

thrilling and dangerous (used for experiences, movies, etc.)

Examples

惊险。
Zhè bù jīng xiǎn diàn yǐng ràng guān zhòng yì zhí hěn jǐn zhāng.
This thrilling movie kept the audience tense all the time.
惊险，。
Tā jīng lì le nà me duō jīng xiǎn de shì qing, zhēn yǒng gǎn.
He experienced so many perilous things, truly brave.
惊险。
Wǒ cóng lái méi wán guò zhè me jīng xiǎn de yóu xì.
I've never played such a thrilling game.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

惊 'alarm' and 险 'danger' together mean thrilling and dangerous.

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.

忄京惊

Meaning part形符xíngfú

忄Written in full as心xīnheart

Sound part声符shēngfú

京

京jīng惊jīng

Same sound today

惊 is made from 忄 (heart) and 京, which gives the sound.

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 險; 险 is its simplified writing.

阝僉險

Meaning part形符xíngfú

阝Written in full as阜fù

Sound part声符shēngfú

僉

僉qiān險

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 險 pairs 阝, written in full as 阜, with 僉, which gives the sound; the simplified 险 is a shorthand.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Safety & Danger

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