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歰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
歰sèto argue, to disagree, to wranglezg, 14 strokes, radical 止
歰sèarchaic variant of 澀|涩[se4]unknown, 14 strokes, radical 止
sè(se4)se T4
  1. 1to argue, to disagree, to wrangle
  2. 2archaic variant of 澀|涩[se4]
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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
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

By ear

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About 歰

歰Simplified
14Strokes
止Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 歰

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Podcast: 歰

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AI study notes for 歰

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.

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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Etymology of 歰

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

Two people 止 exchanging sharp words 刃

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 歰?

Decomposition of 歰

IDS Structure⿱⿰刃刃⿰止止
歰Full character
=
刃ren4
left
刃ren4
right
止zhi3
left
止zhi3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 歰?

How to say to argue, to disagree, to wrangle in Chinese

“to argue, to disagree, to wrangle” in Chinese is歰sè

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.

When to use 歰

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.

What learners get wrong

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.

Write 歰

歰

Practice writing 歰 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 歰

Words containing this character1
歰sèarchaic variant of 澀|涩[sè]

Frequently asked questions about 歰

No, 歰 is considered archaic and is seldom used in contemporary language.

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