Meanings of 賢
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Podcast: 賢
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AI study notes for 賢
賢 (virtuous) vs 能 (capable) — use 賢 when emphasizing moral qualities over mere ability.
Be cautious when using 賢 in formal settings, as it can imply a strong judgment of someone's character. Common collocations include 賢者 (wise person) and 賢良 (virtuous and good). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.
Although 賢 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with character traits studied at higher levels. Focus on its usage in literature and formal contexts, as it enriches your understanding of virtuous qualities in Chinese culture.
Learners often misuse 賢 in casual contexts where simpler terms like 好 (hǎo) for 'good' would suffice. For example, saying '他很賢' (Tā hěn xián) instead of '他很好' (Tā hěn hǎo) can sound overly formal.
Pronunciation of 賢
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Etymology of 賢
money
Origin
賢 = 貝 + 臤. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 賢
Parts
Which of these is part of 賢?
How to say virtuous, worthy; good, able in Chinese
“virtuous, worthy; good, able” in Chinese is賢
The character 賢 (xián) refers to someone who is virtuous, worthy, or capable. It is often used to describe individuals with commendable qualities, particularly in moral or ethical contexts, and is commonly found in discussions of leadership, education, and personal character.
When to use 賢
Be cautious when using 賢 in formal settings, as it can imply a strong judgment of someone's character. Common collocations include 賢者 (wise person) and 賢良 (virtuous and good). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that have different meanings.
賢 or something close to it
賢 (virtuous) vs 能 (capable) — use 賢 when emphasizing moral qualities over mere ability.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 賢 in casual contexts where simpler terms like 好 (hǎo) for 'good' would suffice. For example, saying '他很賢' (Tā hěn xián) instead of '他很好' (Tā hěn hǎo) can sound overly formal.
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Word Family of 賢
Characters with 賢
What does 贤 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 賢
You can say, '他是一个非常賢的人' (Tā shì yīgè fēicháng xián de rén), meaning 'He is a very virtuous person.'
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