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March 24, 2026
谐(諧)xié(xie2)
The character 谐 (xié) expresses the idea of harmony and agreement, often used in contexts related to music, relationships, and social interactions. It can also refer to humor or jesting, suggesting a light-heartedness in communication. In essence, it embodies the concept of things working together smoothly or in a friendly manner.
Strokes11Radical讠Frequency#28556DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 谐 is deeply rooted in traditional music and poetry, where harmony is essential for aesthetic expression. Festivals often celebrate harmony in relationships, demonstrating the value placed on peaceful coexistence.
Memory Tip
Imagine a harmonious choir where every voice blends perfectly (谐). The left side of the character, 言 (yán), represents 'speech,' while the right side, 皆 (jiē), implies 'all.' Picture a group joyfully singing together, where every word spoken creates harmony. This visual can help you remember both the meaning and pronunciation, as it feels like a jovial gathering.
Meanings of 谐
xié(xie2)
1harmonious
2to joke, to jest; to harmonize, to agree
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 谐
谐Simplified
諧Traditional
11Strokes
讠Radical
形容词性语素xíngróngcíadjective root (adj.root)Part of Speech
#28556Frequency Rank
Podcast: 谐
Podcast: 谐
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AI Study Notes for 谐
Quick Contrast
和谐 (héxié) vs 协调 (xiétiáo) — use 谐 (xié) for a broader sense of harmony or humor, while 和谐 (héxié) emphasizes a state of harmony, and 协调 (xiétiáo) focuses on coordination and adjustment.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 谐 with similar characters like 和 (hé, harmony) and 融 (róng, blend), which can lead to subtle nuances being overlooked. It's generally used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in literary or artistic discussions. Additionally, be mindful of the tone; it’s pronounced with a rising tone (second tone) which is crucial for correct usage.
HSK Study Tips
Although 谐 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects with related words like 和 (hé) and 协 (xié), which also pertain to harmony and cooperation. Focus on practicing its usage in sentences related to music or friendship to solidify its meaning and context.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 谐 by using the first tone instead of the second, saying 'xié' instead of 'xié' (second tone). Another mistake is using it interchangeably with 和 (hé), which has a broader meaning of 'and' or 'with,' while 谐 focuses specifically on harmony.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 谐
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Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 皆 represents the sound. Simplified form of 諧.
1The meaning half讠 carries the sense.
2The sound half皆 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayspeech
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 谐? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 谐?
Decomposition of 谐
IDS Structure⿰讠皆
谐Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
皆jie1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 谐?
How to say harmonious in Chinese
“harmonious” in Chinese is谐xié
The character 谐 (xié) expresses the idea of harmony and agreement, often used in contexts related to music, relationships, and social interactions. It can also refer to humor or jesting, suggesting a light-heartedness in communication. In essence, it embodies the concept of things working together smoothly or in a friendly manner.
When to use 谐
Learners often confuse 谐 with similar characters like 和 (hé, harmony) and 融 (róng, blend), which can lead to subtle nuances being overlooked. It's generally used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in literary or artistic discussions. Additionally, be mindful of the tone; it’s pronounced with a rising tone (second tone) which is crucial for correct usage.
谐 or something close to it
和谐 (héxié) vs 协调 (xiétiáo) — use 谐 (xié) for a broader sense of harmony or humor, while 和谐 (héxié) emphasizes a state of harmony, and 协调 (xiétiáo) focuses on coordination and adjustment.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 谐 by using the first tone instead of the second, saying 'xié' instead of 'xié' (second tone). Another mistake is using it interchangeably with 和 (hé), which has a broader meaning of 'and' or 'with,' while 谐 focuses specifically on harmony.
Write 谐
谐
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Grammar Patterns of 谐
谐 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
In the 1790s Tom Paine taught plebeian radicals that mankind would live in harmony were it not for the vested interest which princes, diplomats and soldiers had in promoting wars to enrich themselves.
