unknown, 16 strokes, radical 忄, rank #68406, Very Hard
xiè(xie4) T4
1idle, relaxed; negligent, remiss
2lax
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March 24, 2026
懈xiè(xie4)
The character 懈 (xiè) conveys a sense of idleness or negligence. It is often used to describe a relaxed attitude or a lack of diligence in tasks or responsibilities, implying that one is not putting in the necessary effort or attention. This term can be applied in both personal and professional contexts, highlighting a failure to maintain standards or focus.
Strokes16Radical忄Frequency#68406DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, diligence and hard work are highly valued, often emphasized in education and the workplace. The use of 懈 can reflect societal disapproval of negligence, tapping into cultural norms that prioritize effort and responsibility.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sloth (which represents laziness) sitting on a relaxing hammock, with the character 懈 acting like a hammock that makes you feel too relaxed to get up. The character's left side resembles a person (亻) who is too comfortable to act, reinforcing the meaning of being idle.
Meanings of 懈
xiè(xie4)
1idle, relaxed; negligent, remiss
2lax
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 懈
懈Simplified
16Strokes
忄Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 懈
Podcast: 懈
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AI Study Notes for 懈
Quick Contrast
懒 (lǎn, lazy) - use 懈 when referring specifically to negligence in tasks, while 懒 emphasizes a general unwillingness to exert effort.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sloth (which represents laziness) sitting on a relaxing hammock, with the character 懈 acting like a hammock that makes you feel too relaxed to get up. The character's left side resembles a person (亻) who is too comfortable to act, reinforcing the meaning of being idle.
Usage Notes
Learners should avoid confusing 懈 with similar-sounding characters that have positive connotations, such as 嫌 (xián) meaning dislike. This word is more commonly used in informal contexts when describing someone's attitude or behavior, so use it with care to avoid sounding overly critical.
HSK Study Tips
While 懈 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects well with HSK Level 3 and 4 words related to attitudes and behavior. Students should focus on understanding its usage in phrases and associated vocabulary that describe diligence and effort.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, diligence and hard work are highly valued, often emphasized in education and the workplace. The use of 懈 can reflect societal disapproval of negligence, tapping into cultural norms that prioritize effort and responsibility.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 懈 by confusing it with related characters like 照 (zhào) or 些 (xiē), leading to incorrect meanings. Ensure you practice the correct pronunciation xiè to avoid misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 懈
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Grammar Patterns of 懈
懈 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Those who persevere will certainly achieve success.
Example Sentences for 懈 (5)
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1
钱德拉决心做一名医生，她的坚持不懈得到了回报。
qián dé lā jué xīn zuò yī míng yī shēng， ， tā de jiān chí bù xiè dé dào le huí。
Chandra was determined to become a doctor and her persistence paid off.
2
她警告说对待通货膨胀不能有一丝的懈怠。
tā jǐng gào shuō duì dài tōng huò péng zhàng bù néng yǒu yī sī de xiè dài。
She warned that there was no room for complacency on inflation.
3
问题之一是对机场员工的安检措施马虎松懈。
wèn tí zhī yī shì duì jī cháng yuán gōng de ān jiǎn cuò shī mǎ hǔ sōng xiè。
One of the problem areas is lax security for airport personnel.
4
加德纳一直不懈地追求古典音乐演奏的高水准。
jiā dé nà yī zhí bù xiè dì zhuī qiú gǔ diǎn yīn lè yǎn zòu de gāo shuǐ zhǔn。
Gardiner has pursued relentlessly high standards in performing classical music.
5
不懈的努力让她重拾信心.
bù xiè de nǔ lì ràng tā zhòng shí xìn xīn.
And the hard work built up her confidence.
Cultural Notes for 懈
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, diligence and hard work are highly valued, often emphasized in education and the workplace. The use of 懈 can reflect societal disapproval of negligence, tapping into cultural norms that prioritize effort and responsibility.
Word Family of 懈
Words Containing This Character10
不懈búxièuntiring
无懈可击invulnerable無懈可擊
坚持不懈jiānchíbùxièto persevere unremittingly (idiom); to keep going until the end堅持不懈
松懈to relax鬆懈
懈怠slack
懈xièlax
懈惰slack
夙夜匪懈to work from morning to night (idiom)
懈弛slack (discipline)
懈气to slacken off懈氣
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 不懈 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 懈
You can say '他对工作很懈怠' (Tā duì gōngzuò hěn xièdài), meaning 'He is very negligent towards his work.'
It is generally more common in informal contexts; in formal writing, consider using synonyms that denote negligence but carry a more serious tone.
Yes, it can describe a person's attitude or behavior, indicating they are lazy or not diligent.
