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谢恩 (xiè ēn) — to thank someone for a favor or kindness (formal, courtly)

Definition

A formal, courtly verb meaning to thank a superior (emperor, master) for a kindness or favor — much more elevated than everyday 感谢. Typical of historical or ceremonial contexts.

verb
to thank someone for a favor or kindness (formal, courtly)

Examples

  • 谢恩。
    Dà chén xiàng huáng dì xiè ēn.
    The minister thanked the emperor for his kindness.
  • ，。
    Tā zhī xiè guò yí cì ēn, jiù zài yě méi yǒu jī huì le.
    He only expressed gratitude once, and then never had another opportunity.
  • 谢恩，。
    Dì zǐ kòu tóu xiè ēn, gǎn xiè shī fu de jiào huì.
    The disciple kowtowed and thanked the master for his teachings.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

谢xièthank
恩ēnfavor

谢 thanks, and 恩 is a favor or kindness, so the sense is thanking someone for a benefit.

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 謝; 谢 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánword; speech
Sound part声符shēngfú
射
射shè謝xiè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 謝 pairs 言 (word; speech) with 射, which gives the sound. The simplified 谢 is a written form of this character.

Open 谢 →

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
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
因
因yīn恩ēn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

恩 puts 因, which gives the sound, beside 心, a heart.

Open 恩 →
Appears in
Greetings & Politeness

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