Definition
艾 is a bound form (b.f.) — it cannot stand alone as a word but appears in literary or formal compounds. The sense 'to punish' is found in words like 惩艾 (chénghài, to chastise/repress) and 自怨自艾 (zìyuàn zìyì, to repent and punish oneself). Note that 艾 also commonly refers to the mugwort plant (艾草) and appears in the idiom 方兴未艾 (be in full swing), where it means 'to stop, to end'. As a bound form, always pair it with another character.
b.f.
(bound form) to punish (in compounds such as 惩艾 or 自怨自艾)
Examples
- 艾。Tā yīn zuòbì ér shòudào chéng ài.He was punished for cheating.
- 艾。Fǎlǜ duì yánzhòng zuìfàn jìnxíng chéng ài.The law punishes serious criminals.
- 艾，。Tā zìyuàn zìài, hòuhuǐ dāngchū de xíngwéi.He reproached himself, regretting his past actions.
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