熙 (xī) — (bound form) bright; splendid; (bound form) prosperous; thriving; (bound form) harmonious; merry
Definition
熙 is a literary, bound-form adjective meaning 'bright, prosperous, merry' — never used alone, only inside set phrases like 熙熙攘攘 (bustling) or 熙宁 (a reign-era name). Conveys warmth and thriving energy in classical or formal contexts.
bound form
brightsplendidprosperousthrivingharmoniousmerry
Easily confused
- 西Xīsound-alikewest; the West
- 吸xīsound-aliketo inhale, to breathe in
- 嘻xīsound-alike(interjection) an exclamation expressing surprise, alarm, or sorrow
- 兮xīsound-alike(classical Chinese modal particle) used for exclamation or rhythmic effect, similar to 'oh' or 'ah'
- 希xīsound-alikehope (bound form, as in 希望)
- 膝xīsound-alike(bound form) knee (used in compounds like 膝盖, 膝关节)
Examples
- 熙，。Chūn tiān yáng guāng xī hé, wǒ men yì qǐ qù gōng yuán ba.The spring sunlight is warm and bright; let's go to the park together.
- 熙，。Jiē shàng xī lái rǎng wǎng, shí fēn rè nao.The street is bustling with people coming and going; it's very lively.
- 熙。Tā yán jiū sòng dài de xī níng xīn zhèng.He studies the Xining New Policies of the Song dynasty.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
Sound part声符shēngfú
巸
巸yí熙xī
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
熙 combines 巸, which gives the sound, with 灬, the bottom form of 火 (fire).
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