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March 24, 2026
邪(衺)xié(xie2)
The character 邪 (xié) refers to concepts of wrongness or evil, often used to describe morally negative actions or influences. It can also denote heterodox beliefs or practices that deviate from the accepted norm, including unhealthy influences in contexts such as Chinese medicine.
Strokes6Radical阝Frequency#7171DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, 邪 is commonly used to refer to external pathogenic factors that can lead to illness, reflecting the holistic perspective of health that considers both physical and moral well-being.
Memory Tip
Imagine a devil (邪) sneaking around, causing mischief and spreading bad influence. The left side resembles a person (亻) in a sneaky posture, while the right side suggests a twisted path. This can help you remember that 邪 (xié) is associated with evil and wrongness.
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AI Study Notes for 邪
Quick Contrast
邪 (xié) vs 恶 (è) — use 邪 for moral wrongness or heterodoxy, while 恶 emphasizes malice or wickedness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a devil (邪) sneaking around, causing mischief and spreading bad influence. The left side resembles a person (亻) in a sneaky posture, while the right side suggests a twisted path. This can help you remember that 邪 (xié) is associated with evil and wrongness.
Usage Notes
Be careful to use 邪 in contexts that clearly imply negativity or moral deviation, as it may sound overly dramatic in neutral discussions. It's often paired with words like 邪恶 (xié'è, evil) or 邪教 (xiéjiào, cult) in formal contexts. Avoid using it in overly casual speech to prevent misunderstanding.
HSK Study Tips
Although 邪 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to words like 恶 (è, evil) and 正 (zhèng, correct). Focus on understanding its connotation of moral deviance as you expand your vocabulary with related terms in discussions of ethics or medicine.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, 邪 is commonly used to refer to external pathogenic factors that can lead to illness, reflecting the holistic perspective of health that considers both physical and moral well-being.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 邪 with 正 (zhèng, correct), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '这不是邪的观点' (This is not an evil viewpoint) instead of '这不是正的观点' (This is not a correct viewpoint) can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 邪
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Grammar Patterns of 邪
邪 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他最具持久魅力的特质就是他那孩子般的天真无____。
His most enduring quality is his childlike innocence.
Example Sentences for 邪 (6)
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1
他最具持久魅力的特质就是他那孩子般的天真无邪。
tā zuì jù chí jiǔ mèi lì de tè zhì jiù shì tā nà hái zǐ bān de tiān zhēn wú xié。
His most enduring quality is his childlike innocence.
2
不知何故，她在他心里一直是个天真无邪的孩子。
bù zhī hé gù， ， tā zài tā xīn lǐ yī zhí shì gè tiān zhēn wú xié de hái。
Somehow she'd always been a child in his mind, pure and virginal.
The peach have the traits of expelling evil spirits and safeguarding life.
Cultural Notes for 邪
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, 邪 is commonly used to refer to external pathogenic factors that can lead to illness, reflecting the holistic perspective of health that considers both physical and moral well-being.
Word Family of 邪
Words Containing This Character20
邪恶xié’èsinister邪惡
邪xiédemonic
邪教evil cult
改邪归正gǎixiéguīzhèngto mend one's ways (idiom)改邪歸正
邪气evil influence邪氣
辟邪to ward off evil spirits
无邪without guilt無邪
邪念wicked idea
中邪to be possessed
邪说harmful teachings邪說
邪门strange邪門
邪魔evil spirit
避邪to avoid evil spirits
邪道depraved life
邪路depraved life
驱邪exorcism驅邪
歪风邪气noxious winds, evil influences (idiom); malignant social trends歪風邪氣
歪门邪道dishonest practices歪門邪道
妖邪evil monster
邪乎severe
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 邪恶 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 邪
Yes, 邪 can describe a person as being morally wrong or evil, but it is more common to use it in conjunction with other words.
Common phrases include 邪恶 (xié'è, evil) and 邪教 (xiéjiào, cult), which help illustrate its negative connotation.
While it can be used, it is more prevalent in formal discussions about morality, ethics, or health rather than casual conversations.
