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March 24, 2026
獬xiè(xie4)
The character 獬 (xiè) refers to a mythical creature often likened to a unicorn, known for its purity and ability to discern right from wrong. It is commonly associated with the character 獬豸 (xièzhì), which represents a legendary animal that symbolizes justice and moral integrity in Chinese culture.
Strokes16Radical犭Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the 獬豸 is often depicted as a creature that can identify guilt and innocence, reflecting the country's historical emphasis on justice and moral clarity. It is sometimes referenced in discussions about law and governance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a unicorn with a sharp horn that can pierce through lies and reveal the truth. The character 獬 resembles a combination of the radical for 'beast' (犭) and a unique horn shape, reinforcing its meaning as a creature associated with righteousness.
Meanings of 獬
xiè(xie4)
1mythical unicorn
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 獬
獬Simplified
16Strokes
犭Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 獬
Podcast: 獬
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AI Study Notes for 獬
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a unicorn with a sharp horn that can pierce through lies and reveal the truth. The character 獬 resembles a combination of the radical for 'beast' (犭) and a unique horn shape, reinforcing its meaning as a creature associated with righteousness.
Usage Notes
This character is rarely used in everyday conversation, as it pertains more to mythological contexts. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words, and note that it is more common in literary or historical texts than in modern language.
HSK Study Tips
Although 獬 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enrich your knowledge of Chinese mythology and culture. Focus on its connection to other characters related to animals (like 犬) and moral concepts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the 獬豸 is often depicted as a creature that can identify guilt and innocence, reflecting the country's historical emphasis on justice and moral clarity. It is sometimes referenced in discussions about law and governance.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 獬 with other similar characters due to its unique pronunciation and meaning. For example, using it interchangeably with characters for common animals like 狗 (gǒu) is incorrect; 獬 specifically refers to a mythical creature.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 獬
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Cultural Notes for 獬
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the 獬豸 is often depicted as a creature that can identify guilt and innocence, reflecting the country's historical emphasis on justice and moral clarity. It is sometimes referenced in discussions about law and governance.
Word Family of 獬
Words Containing This Character1
獬xièXiezhi, mythical Chinese unicorn
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 獬 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 獬
It is not commonly used in daily conversation and is mostly found in literary or historical contexts.
It symbolizes purity and the ability to discern right from wrong, often associated with justice.
There are no widely used idioms, but it may appear in historical texts or discussions about mythological creatures.
