Meanings of 翕
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About 翕
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Podcast: 翕
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AI Study Notes for 翕
合 (hé) — use 合 for 'to combine' or 'to unite', while 翕 emphasizes agreement or harmonious opening and closing.
Learners often confuse 翕 with similar-sounding characters, particularly in casual speech. It is more commonly used in formal contexts and in written language, so be mindful of the setting when using it. Note that in Taiwan, it is pronounced as [xi4], which can cause confusion for learners accustomed to the standard pronunciation.
Currently, 翕 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, but understanding it can enhance your comprehension of more advanced texts. Focus on recognizing its usage in literary works or formal discussions, as it may appear in idiomatic expressions related to agreement or cooperation.
Learners often mistakenly use 翕 in informal contexts where simpler words like 同意 (tóngyì) would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我翕同意这个观点' (Wǒ xī tóngyì zhège guāndiǎn) is incorrect; the correct phrase is '我同意这个观点'.
Pronunciation of 翕
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Etymology of 翕
Birds 羽 flocking together 合
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 翕
- 1The giveawayBirds 羽 flocking together 合
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 翕? 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
What type of character formation is 翕?
Decomposition of 翕
Identify the Components
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How to say to agree; to open and close the mouth in Chinese
“to agree; to open and close the mouth” in Chinese is翕
The character 翕 (xī) primarily means to agree or to open and close, often in the context of the mouth or other objects. It conveys a sense of harmony or compliance, frequently used in literary or formal contexts to denote friendliness or concordance in discussions.
When to use 翕
Learners often confuse 翕 with similar-sounding characters, particularly in casual speech. It is more commonly used in formal contexts and in written language, so be mindful of the setting when using it. Note that in Taiwan, it is pronounced as [xi4], which can cause confusion for learners accustomed to the standard pronunciation.
翕 or something close to it
合 (hé) — use 合 for 'to combine' or 'to unite', while 翕 emphasizes agreement or harmonious opening and closing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 翕 in informal contexts where simpler words like 同意 (tóngyì) would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我翕同意这个观点' (Wǒ xī tóngyì zhège guāndiǎn) is incorrect; the correct phrase is '我同意这个观点'.
Write 翕
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Practice writing 翕 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 翕
翕 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 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
我转过身厌恶地看着杰基，鼻翼呼呼地____动着。
I turned to Jacky, my nostrils flaring in disgust.
Example Sentences for 翕 (1)
Word Family of 翕
Compound Meaning
What does 翕 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 翕
While 翕 emphasizes agreement and harmony, synonyms like 同意 (tóngyì) focus more on explicit agreement. Understanding the nuance can help you choose the right word based on context.
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