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谐 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
谐
xié
harmonious
ag, 11 strokes, radical 讠, rank #28556, Very Hard
谐
xié
to joke, to jest; to harmonize, to agree
ag, 11 strokes, radical 讠, rank #28556, Very Hard
xié(xie2)xie T2
1harmonious
2to joke, to jest; to harmonize, to agree
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March 24, 2026
谐(諧)xié(xie2)
The character 谐 (xié) expresses the idea of harmony and agreement, often used in contexts related to music, relationships, and social interactions. It can also refer to humor or jesting, suggesting a light-heartedness in communication. In essence, it embodies the concept of things working together smoothly or in a friendly manner.
Strokes11Radical讠Frequency#28556DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 谐 is deeply rooted in traditional music and poetry, where harmony is essential for aesthetic expression. Festivals often celebrate harmony in relationships, demonstrating the value placed on peaceful coexistence.
Memory tip
Imagine a harmonious choir where every voice blends perfectly (谐). The left side of the character, 言 (yán), represents 'speech,' while the right side, 皆 (jiē), implies 'all.' Picture a group joyfully singing together, where every word spoken creates harmony. This visual can help you remember both the meaning and pronunciation, as it feels like a jovial gathering.
Meanings of 谐
xié(xie2)
1harmonious
2to joke, to jest; to harmonize, to agree
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 谐 means.
About 谐
谐Simplified
諧Traditional
11Strokes
讠Radical
形容词性语素xíngróngcíadjective root (adj.root)Part of Speech
#28556Frequency Rank
Podcast: 谐
Podcast: 谐
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AI study notes for 谐
Quick Contrast
和谐 (héxié) vs 协调 (xiétiáo) — use 谐 (xié) for a broader sense of harmony or humor, while 和谐 (héxié) emphasizes a state of harmony, and 协调 (xiétiáo) focuses on coordination and adjustment.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 谐 with similar characters like 和 (hé, harmony) and 融 (róng, blend), which can lead to subtle nuances being overlooked. It's generally used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in literary or artistic discussions. Additionally, be mindful of the tone; it’s pronounced with a rising tone (second tone) which is crucial for correct usage.
HSK Study Tips
Although 谐 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects with related words like 和 (hé) and 协 (xié), which also pertain to harmony and cooperation. Focus on practicing its usage in sentences related to music or friendship to solidify its meaning and context.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 谐 by using the first tone instead of the second, saying 'xié' instead of 'xié' (second tone). Another mistake is using it interchangeably with 和 (hé), which has a broader meaning of 'and' or 'with,' while 谐 focuses specifically on harmony.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 谐
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How well do you know 谐?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 谐 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.
谐 = 讠 + 皆. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 谐
IDS Structure⿰讠皆
谐Full character
=
讠yan2
left
皆jie1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 谐?
How to say harmonious in Chinese
“harmonious” in Chinese is谐xié
The character 谐 (xié) expresses the idea of harmony and agreement, often used in contexts related to music, relationships, and social interactions. It can also refer to humor or jesting, suggesting a light-heartedness in communication. In essence, it embodies the concept of things working together smoothly or in a friendly manner.
When to use 谐
Learners often confuse 谐 with similar characters like 和 (hé, harmony) and 融 (róng, blend), which can lead to subtle nuances being overlooked. It's generally used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in literary or artistic discussions. Additionally, be mindful of the tone; it’s pronounced with a rising tone (second tone) which is crucial for correct usage.
谐 or something close to it
和谐 (héxié) vs 协调 (xiétiáo) — use 谐 (xié) for a broader sense of harmony or humor, while 和谐 (héxié) emphasizes a state of harmony, and 协调 (xiétiáo) focuses on coordination and adjustment.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 谐 by using the first tone instead of the second, saying 'xié' instead of 'xié' (second tone). Another mistake is using it interchangeably with 和 (hé), which has a broader meaning of 'and' or 'with,' while 谐 focuses specifically on harmony.
Write 谐
谐
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Grammar patterns of 谐
谐 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.
shāng mǔ· pān ēn zài18 shìjì90 niándài jiàoyù píngmín jī jìn fēn zi shí lùnshù dào， rúguǒ bùshì wèile shíxiàn wáng gōng、 wàijiāoguān hé shìbīng jiè fāqǐ zhànzhēng ér shǐ zìjǐ fùyǒu de qiánzài lìyì， rénlèi běn huì shēnghuó zài héxié zhīzhōng。
In the 1790s Tom Paine taught plebeian radicals that mankind would live in harmony were it not for the vested interest which princes, diplomats and soldiers had in promoting wars to enrich themselves.
