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March 24, 2026
衅(釁)xìn(xin4)
The character 衅 (xìn) refers to a quarrel or dispute, often indicating a conflict between individuals. It can also have an archaic meaning related to blood sacrifice, suggesting a historical context where disputes could lead to serious or violent outcomes.
Strokes11Radical血Frequency#2928DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, disputes often had serious repercussions, sometimes leading to bloodshed, which is reflected in the archaic meaning of 衅 related to blood sacrifice. This highlights the cultural emphasis on harmony and the avoidance of conflict.
Memory Tip
Imagine a quarrel (xìn) occurring at a 'blood-stained' scene, where the characters for 'blood' and 'conflict' combine. The radical 衤 relates to clothing, reminding you of how conflicts can leave a mark, just like stains on clothes.
Meanings of 衅
xìn(xin4)
1quarrel
2dispute
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 衅 means.
About 衅
衅Simplified
釁Traditional
11Strokes
血Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 衅
Podcast: 衅
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AI Study Notes for 衅
Usage Notes
This character is typically used in more formal contexts and is less common in everyday speech. Learners often confuse it with similar characters like 争 (zhēng), which means to contest or strive for something. Pay attention to the tone, as 'xìn' is pronounced with a falling tone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 衅 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your grasp of more complex expressions of conflict. Focus on its usage in literature or historical texts, which can deepen your comprehension of cultural nuances.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 衅 with 争 (zhēng), mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我们有一个衅' (Wǒmen yǒu yīgè xìn) instead of '我们有一个争论' (Wǒmen yǒu yīgè zhēnglùn), which is more appropriate for 'we have a dispute'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 衅
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How Well Do You Know 衅?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 衅 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.
衅 = 血 + 半. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 衅
IDS Structure⿰血半
衅Full Character
=
血xue4
left
半ban4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 衅?
How to say quarrel in Chinese
“quarrel” in Chinese is衅xìn
The character 衅 (xìn) refers to a quarrel or dispute, often indicating a conflict between individuals. It can also have an archaic meaning related to blood sacrifice, suggesting a historical context where disputes could lead to serious or violent outcomes.
When to use 衅
This character is typically used in more formal contexts and is less common in everyday speech. Learners often confuse it with similar characters like 争 (zhēng), which means to contest or strive for something. Pay attention to the tone, as 'xìn' is pronounced with a falling tone.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 衅 with 争 (zhēng), mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我们有一个衅' (Wǒmen yǒu yīgè xìn) instead of '我们有一个争论' (Wǒmen yǒu yīgè zhēnglùn), which is more appropriate for 'we have a dispute'.
Write 衅
衅
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Practice writing 衅 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 衅
衅 carries 4 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.
她因受到挑____而过失杀人的有罪答辩被驳回。
Her plea of guilty to manslaughter through provocation was rejected.
Example Sentences for 衅 (6)
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1
她因受到挑衅而过失杀人的有罪答辩被驳回。
tā yīn shòu dào tiāo xìn ér guò shī shā rén de yǒu zuì dá biàn bèi bó huí。
Her plea of guilty to manslaughter through provocation was rejected.
