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March 24, 2026
歰sè(se4)
The character 歰 (sè) refers to the act of arguing, disagreeing, or wrangling. It is an archaic variant of the character 澀 (sè), which means 'astringent' or 'bitter.' In modern usage, it is seldom encountered in everyday conversation, making it more relevant in literary or historical contexts.
Strokes14Radical止Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, debate and argumentation can be seen as a way to reach consensus and clarity, especially in scholarly discussions. The use of 歰 in historical texts reflects the importance of intellectual discourse in ancient Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a heated argument where the voices are so harsh that they seem to 'turn bitter' like astringent fruit. The character 歰 has a similar sound to 'sè' and its components suggest a clash of opinions, making it easier to remember.
Meanings of 歰
sè(se4)
1to argue, to disagree, to wrangle
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 歰
歰Simplified
14Strokes
止Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 歰
Podcast: 歰
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AI Study Notes for 歰
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a heated argument where the voices are so harsh that they seem to 'turn bitter' like astringent fruit. The character 歰 has a similar sound to 'sè' and its components suggest a clash of opinions, making it easier to remember.
Usage Notes
When using 歰, be aware that it is quite rare and might not be understood by all speakers. It carries a more formal or literary tone, so it may not fit well in casual conversations. Common collocations include phrases related to disputes or disagreements.
HSK Study Tips
Although 歰 is not part of the standard HSK curriculum, understanding its meaning can deepen your grasp of the nuances of disagreement in Mandarin. Focus on related terms like 争论 (zhēnglùn - to argue) to build a broader vocabulary around this theme.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, debate and argumentation can be seen as a way to reach consensus and clarity, especially in scholarly discussions. The use of 歰 in historical texts reflects the importance of intellectual discourse in ancient Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 歰 with its modern variant 澀 (sè), which has a different meaning related to taste. Be sure to use 歰 in contexts that imply argumentation rather than bitterness or astringency.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 歰
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Cultural Notes for 歰
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, debate and argumentation can be seen as a way to reach consensus and clarity, especially in scholarly discussions. The use of 歰 in historical texts reflects the importance of intellectual discourse in ancient Chinese society.
Word Family of 歰
Words Containing This Character1
歰sèarchaic variant of 澀|涩[sè]
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 歰 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 歰
No, 歰 is considered archaic and is seldom used in contemporary language.
It is pronounced as 'sè', similar to the sound of 'set' without the 't'.
Yes, you can use 争吵 (zhēngchǎo) or 争论 (zhēnglùn) for arguing or disputing.
