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谮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
谮zènto slanderg, 14 strokes, radical 讠
zèn(zen4)zen T4
  1. 1to slander
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March 24, 2026

谮(譖)zèn(zen4)

The character 谮 (zèn) means to slander or defame someone, often involving making false statements to damage a person's reputation. It is commonly used in formal contexts, particularly in legal discussions or when talking about personal relationships and trust. Understanding this term is essential in discussions about ethics and integrity.

Strokes14Radical讠
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, slander is taken very seriously, often linked to one's honor and reputation. The concept of face (面子) is paramount, and slander can lead to significant social and familial consequences.

Memory Tip

Think of 谮 as a 'zen' moment gone wrong; instead of achieving peace, slander disrupts harmony. The character combines the radical for speech (言) with a component that suggests deceit, resembling how gossip can spread like wildfire.

Meanings of 谮

zèn(zen4)
1to slander
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 谮

谮Simplified
譖Traditional
14Strokes
讠Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 谮

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Podcast: 谮

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AI Study Notes for 谮

Quick Contrast

诽 (fěi) vs 中伤 (zhòngshāng) — use 谮 (zèn) specifically when referring to slander involving false statements, while 诽 (fěi) can imply any form of slander or defamation, and 中伤 (zhòngshāng) often emphasizes harm caused indirectly.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 谮, as it is more formal than casual terms for gossip. Common collocations include 谮言 (slanderous words) and 被谮 (to be slandered). Many learners confuse it with other words for gossip, so remember that 谮 implies intentional harm rather than mere chatter.

HSK Study Tips

Although 谮 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with high-level discussions about morality and conflict. Students at this level should focus on understanding the complexities of language used in legal or political contexts, as well as the implications of slander.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 谮 (slander) with 传闻 (chuán wén, rumors), which can lead to misunderstandings about intent. For instance, saying '他传闻我' (He rumors me) instead of '他谮我' (He slanders me) misses the critical nuance of malicious intent.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 谮

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Etymology of 谮

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

speech

Semantic (meaning)讠
+
Phonetic (sound)朁
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

谮 = 讠 + 朁. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 谮

IDS Structure⿰讠朁
谮Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
朁can3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 谮?

How to say to slander in Chinese

“to slander” in Chinese is谮zèn

The character 谮 (zèn) means to slander or defame someone, often involving making false statements to damage a person's reputation. It is commonly used in formal contexts, particularly in legal discussions or when talking about personal relationships and trust. Understanding this term is essential in discussions about ethics and integrity.

When to use 谮

Be cautious when using 谮, as it is more formal than casual terms for gossip. Common collocations include 谮言 (slanderous words) and 被谮 (to be slandered). Many learners confuse it with other words for gossip, so remember that 谮 implies intentional harm rather than mere chatter.

谮 or something close to it

诽 (fěi) vs 中伤 (zhòngshāng) — use 谮 (zèn) specifically when referring to slander involving false statements, while 诽 (fěi) can imply any form of slander or defamation, and 中伤 (zhòngshāng) often emphasizes harm caused indirectly.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 谮 (slander) with 传闻 (chuán wén, rumors), which can lead to misunderstandings about intent. For instance, saying '他传闻我' (He rumors me) instead of '他谮我' (He slanders me) misses the critical nuance of malicious intent.

Write 谮

谮

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

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Word Family of 谮

Words Containing This Character1
谮zènto slander譖

Frequently Asked Questions about 谮

Both mean slander, but 诽谤 (fěi bàng) is more commonly used in legal contexts, while 谮 carries a slightly more formal or literary tone.

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