涩 (sè) — astringent, puckery (of taste, e.g., unripe fruit, strong tea); rough, not smooth (of texture or surface); obscure, difficult to follow (of writing or style)
Definition
An adjective covering three senses: an astringent, puckery taste (unripe fruit, strong tea); a rough texture or surface; and an obscure, hard-to-follow writing style (often paired as 晦涩).
adjective
astringentpuckery (of taste, e.g., unripe fruit, strong tea)roughnot smooth (of texture or surface)obscuredifficult to follow (of writing or style)
Examples
- 涩，。Zhè ge shì zi hěn sè, hái méi shú tòu.This persimmon is very astringent — it's not fully ripe yet.
- 涩，。Mù bǎn de biǎo miàn hěn sè, xū yào dǎ mó yí xià.The surface of the wooden plank is very rough; it needs sanding.
- ，。Zhè piān gǔ wén yǔ yán huì sè, bù róng yì dú dǒng.This classical text has obscure language and is not easy to understand.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 澀; 涩 is its simplified writing.
The traditional form 澀 is the historical shape being explained; a water-related part was added to it later. The simplified 涩 is only a shorthand.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.