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March 24, 2026
啬(嗇)sè(se4)
The character 啬 (sè) describes a person who is stingy or miserly, often excessively frugal in spending or sharing resources. It is commonly used to characterize someone who hoards wealth or is unwilling to part with money, even in situations where generosity would be expected.
Strokes11Radical十Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being described as 啬 is viewed unfavorably, as it contrasts with the value placed on generosity during social gatherings and family events. This reflects a cultural emphasis on communal sharing and support.
Memory Tip
Imagine a miserly character holding onto a small bag of coins while others enjoy a feast around him. The sound 'sè' can remind you of the word 'sack,' as in a sack of money he refuses to share, reinforcing both the pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 啬
sè(se4)
1stingy
2miserly, stingy, thrifty
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 啬
啬Simplified
嗇Traditional
11Strokes
十Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 啬
Podcast: 啬
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AI Study Notes for 啬
Quick Contrast
吝 (lìn) - use 吝 when emphasizing reluctance to give or share, while 啬 focuses more on general stinginess.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a miserly character holding onto a small bag of coins while others enjoy a feast around him. The sound 'sè' can remind you of the word 'sack,' as in a sack of money he refuses to share, reinforcing both the pronunciation and meaning.
Usage Notes
啬 is generally used in a negative context, so be cautious about its use in formal settings. Common collocations include '吝啬' (lìn sè), which means stingy or miserly, and '节约' (jié yuē), meaning to save or be thrifty. Ensure you use the correct tone, as mispronouncing it may lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 啬 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it can help expand your understanding of character combinations related to frugality. Focus on recognizing it in context with other HSK words like '节约' (jié yuē) to enhance your vocabulary around financial behaviors.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being described as 啬 is viewed unfavorably, as it contrasts with the value placed on generosity during social gatherings and family events. This reflects a cultural emphasis on communal sharing and support.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 啬 with similar-sounding words, leading to incorrect usage. For example, using it in a positive context like '他很啬，因为他节约' (He is stingy because he is thrifty) is incorrect; it should be noted that being 'thrifty' is not synonymous with being 'stingy.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 啬
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Simplified form of 嗇. Pictograph of wheat (麥) being stored in a granary. Based on the original meaning "harvest; hoard". The meaning later shifted to "stingy".
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Grammar Patterns of 啬
啬 carries 2 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
Complete the Sentence
别这么吝____布料，不然做出来的窗帘会显得特寒酸。
Don't be mean with fabric, otherwise curtains will end up looking skimpy.
Example Sentences for 啬 (5)
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1
别这么吝啬布料，不然做出来的窗帘会显得特寒酸。
bié zhè mó lìn sè bù liào， ， bù rán zuò chū lái de chuāng lián huì xiǎn dé tè hán。
Don't be mean with fabric, otherwise curtains will end up looking skimpy.
Miser: A person who lives poor so that he can die rich.
Cultural Notes for 啬
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being described as 啬 is viewed unfavorably, as it contrasts with the value placed on generosity during social gatherings and family events. This reflects a cultural emphasis on communal sharing and support.
Word Family of 啬
Compounds4
墙qiang2variant of 牆
蔷qiang2rose
嫱qiang2lady
穑se4to farm, to harvest grain
Words Containing This Character3
吝啬lìnsèstingy吝嗇
吝啬鬼miser吝嗇鬼
啬sèstingy嗇
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 墙 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 啬
The correct pronunciation is 'sè' with a falling tone. Practice saying it with emphasis on the 's' sound.
No, 啬 is typically used negatively to describe someone who is excessively stingy; it does not have a positive connotation.
Synonyms include '吝啬' (lìn sè) and '节俭' (jié jiǎn), though the latter has a more neutral or positive connotation.
