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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#3322DifficultyHard
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
By ear
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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.
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.
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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How Well Do You Know 啬?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 啬 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.
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".
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.
When to use 啬
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.
啬 or something close to it
吝 (lìn) - use 吝 when emphasizing reluctance to give or share, while 啬 focuses more on general stinginess.
What learners get wrong
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.'
Write 啬
啬
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Practice writing 啬 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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 (35)
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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.
