Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
亵 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
亵xièdirty, ragged; slight, insult, disrespectzg, 12 strokes, radical 亠, rank #31216, Very Hard
亵xièobsceneunknown, 12 strokes, radical 亠, rank #31216, Very Hard
亵xièdisrespectfulunknown, 12 strokes, radical 亠, rank #31216, Very Hard
xiè(xie4)xie T4
  1. 1dirty, ragged; slight, insult, disrespect
  2. 2obscene
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

亵(褻)xiè(xie4)

The character 亵 (xiè) conveys meanings related to disrespect and obscenity. It is often used in contexts where something is seen as degrading or insulting, particularly in moral or social terms. This character can also imply a lack of reverence in situations where respect is typically expected.

Strokes12Radical亠Frequency#31216DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, respect for elders and moral propriety is deeply ingrained, making 亵 particularly significant when discussing topics like family values and social etiquette. It can also appear in discussions about literature that critiques societal norms.

Memory Tip

Think of 亵 (xiè) as the 'shameful' or 'disrespectful' character. The top part resembles a person (亻, a radical for 'person') in a compromising position, while the bottom part suggests something 'dirty' or 'ragged.' Imagine someone being caught in a scandalous act, which helps you remember the meaning and the pronunciation.

Meanings of 亵

xiè(xie4)
1dirty, ragged; slight, insult, disrespect
2obscene
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 亵 means.

About 亵

亵Simplified
褻Traditional
12Strokes
亠Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 亵

JasonAmy

Podcast: 亵

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 亵

Quick Contrast

亵 (xiè) vs 侮 (wǔ) — use 亵 for contexts of obscenity or disrespect, while 侮 focuses more on insult or humiliation.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 亵 with other characters that express mild disrespect or casual terms. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing moral topics. Be careful with tones; xiè is pronounced with a falling tone, which can change the meaning if mistaken for a different tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although 亵 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with words related to morality and respect that may be encountered at higher levels. Focus on its nuances in social contexts, as they are important for understanding cultural conversations.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 亵 (xiè) with similar-sounding words like 些 (xiē), which means 'some' or 'few.' Remember, 亵 has a negative connotation, while 些 does not. Another mistake is using 亵 in light-hearted contexts; it carries a serious tone.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 亵

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 亵 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 亵 to You

Let me explain 亵 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 亵 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 亵?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 亵 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 亵

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

Hands grasping 执 and tearing apart a dress 衣

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 亵?

Decomposition of 亵

IDS Structure⿴衣执
亵Full Character
=
衣yi1
enclosing
执zhi2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 亵?

How to say dirty, ragged; slight, insult, disrespect in Chinese

“dirty, ragged; slight, insult, disrespect” in Chinese is亵xiè

The character 亵 (xiè) conveys meanings related to disrespect and obscenity. It is often used in contexts where something is seen as degrading or insulting, particularly in moral or social terms. This character can also imply a lack of reverence in situations where respect is typically expected.

When to use 亵

Learners often confuse 亵 with other characters that express mild disrespect or casual terms. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing moral topics. Be careful with tones; xiè is pronounced with a falling tone, which can change the meaning if mistaken for a different tone.

亵 or something close to it

亵 (xiè) vs 侮 (wǔ) — use 亵 for contexts of obscenity or disrespect, while 侮 focuses more on insult or humiliation.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 亵 (xiè) with similar-sounding words like 些 (xiē), which means 'some' or 'few.' Remember, 亵 has a negative connotation, while 些 does not. Another mistake is using 亵 in light-hearted contexts; it carries a serious tone.

Write 亵

亵

Practice writing 亵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 亵

亵 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

这位下院议员称这些谋杀是在上帝面前的公然____渎。

The MP described the killings as a blasphemy before God.

Example Sentences for 亵 (5)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这位下院议员称这些谋杀是在上帝面前的公然亵渎。

zhè wèi xià yuàn yì yuán chēng zhè xiē móu shā shì zài shàng dì miàn qián de gōng rán xiè dú。

The MP described the killings as a blasphemy before God.
2
他们因存在严重猥亵行为而被判有罪。

tā mén yīn cún zài yán zhòng wěi xiè háng wéi ér bèi pàn yǒu zuì。

They were found guilty of acts of gross indecency.
3
这样的人很容易被人抨击为亵渎神明。

zhè yàng de rén hěn róng yì bèi rén pēng jī wéi xiè dú shén míng。

Such a figure is liable to be attacked as a blasphemer.
4
男人们吊儿郎当地站着,大口大口地喝着啤酒,偶尔还对着路过的女性猥亵地笑。

nán rén mén diào ér láng dāng dì zhàn zháo, , dà kǒu dà kǒu dì hē zháo pí, jiǔ , ǒu ěr huán duì zháo lù guò de nǚ xìng wěi xiè。

Men were standing around, swilling beer and occasionally leering at passing females.
5
你刚刚听到他那番亵渎上帝的话了!

nǐ gāng gāng tīng dào tā nà fān xiè dú shàng dì de huà le!

You have just heard his blasphemy!

Ask Jason

Have a question about 亵?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 亵

Words Containing This Character5
亵渎to blaspheme褻瀆
猥亵obscene猥褻
亵xièobscene褻
淫亵obscene淫褻
亵慢irreverent褻慢
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 亵

What does 亵渎 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 亵

Common phrases include 亵渎 (xièdú), meaning 'to blaspheme' or 'to desecrate,' often used in religious contexts.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 亵?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab