Meanings of 奸
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About 奸
Podcast: 奸
Podcast: 奸
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AI Study Notes for 奸
奸 (jiān) vs 恶 (è) — use 奸 (jiān) specifically for deceit or treachery, while 恶 (è) refers more broadly to evil or wickedness without the specific connotation of betrayal.
Be cautious when using 奸, as it is strongly negative and can offend. It is typically used in formal contexts, such as literature or serious discussions about morality. Common collocations include 奸诈 (jiānzhà, crafty) and 奸情 (jiānqíng, infidelity).
While not a standard HSK word, 奸 can be related to words in HSK levels 4-6 that discuss moral qualities or character traits. Focus on recognizing its usage in literature or media, as it often appears in moral discussions or critiques.
Learners often confuse 奸 with similar characters like 假 (jiǎ, false) and 欺 (qī, to deceive), which have different nuances. For instance, saying 奸 means 'false' is incorrect; instead, use 假 for that meaning.
Pronunciation of 奸
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Etymology of 奸
Phonosemantic compound. 女 represents the meaning and 干 represents the sound. Simplified form of 姦.
woman
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 奸
Phonosemantic compound. 女 represents the meaning and 干 represents the sound. Simplified form of 姦.
- 1The meaning half女 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half干 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaywoman
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 奸? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 奸
Identify the Components
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How to say crafty, dishonest, selfish; evil, villainous; adultery in Chinese
“crafty, dishonest, selfish; evil, villainous; adultery” in Chinese is奸
The character 奸 (jiān) denotes qualities associated with deceit, treachery, or wickedness. It is often used in contexts that refer to dishonesty or betrayal, and can also imply sexual infidelity. This character carries a negative connotation and is used to describe actions or individuals that are morally reprehensible.
When to use 奸
Be cautious when using 奸, as it is strongly negative and can offend. It is typically used in formal contexts, such as literature or serious discussions about morality. Common collocations include 奸诈 (jiānzhà, crafty) and 奸情 (jiānqíng, infidelity).
奸 or something close to it
奸 (jiān) vs 恶 (è) — use 奸 (jiān) specifically for deceit or treachery, while 恶 (è) refers more broadly to evil or wickedness without the specific connotation of betrayal.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 奸 with similar characters like 假 (jiǎ, false) and 欺 (qī, to deceive), which have different nuances. For instance, saying 奸 means 'false' is incorrect; instead, use 假 for that meaning.
Write 奸
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Practice writing 奸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 奸
奸 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 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.
Complete the Sentence
总统谈及了敌人的____诈用心。
The President spoke of the treacherous intentions of the enemy.
Example Sentences for 奸 (6)
Cultural Notes for 奸
In Western cultures, treachery may not carry the same weight of familial and societal expectations as in Chinese culture, where loyalty is deeply valued, making betrayal particularly egregious.
Word Family of 奸
Compound Meaning
What does 强奸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 奸
奸 emphasizes moral wrongdoing and deceit specifically, while characters like 欺 (qī) focus more on general trickery.
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