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March 24, 2026
疚jiù(jiu4)
The character 疚 (jiù) conveys feelings of guilt, remorse, or sorrow, often related to a sense of wrongdoing or chronic illness. It is commonly used in contexts discussing emotional states, particularly in literature or moral discussions, and can also refer to ongoing health issues.
Strokes8Radical疒Frequency#90975DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, feelings of guilt and remorse are often linked to Confucian values, where maintaining harmony and moral integrity is emphasized. The character embodies the weight of social expectations and personal honor.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person carrying a heavy burden of guilt, represented by the character's radical 疒, which relates to illness. Picture them in a sorrowful state, saying 'jiù' as they reflect on their remorse, linking the sound to their emotional struggle.
Meanings of 疚
jiù(jiu4)
1chronic disease; guilt, remorse; sorrow
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 疚
疚Simplified
8Strokes
疒Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 疚
Podcast: 疚
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AI Study Notes for 疚
Quick Contrast
愧 (kuì) - use 疚 (jiù) when referring to a deeper, often chronic sense of guilt or remorse, while 愧 (kuì) implies a more immediate or situational feeling of shame.
Usage Notes
This character is typically used in serious or formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Be careful not to confuse 疚 with other similar-sounding characters; focus on the emotional and moral implications associated with it.
HSK Study Tips
While 疚 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, its emotional depth connects with HSK Level 4 and 5 words that discuss feelings and moral dilemmas, such as 愧疚 (kuìjiù, to feel guilty). Students should focus on understanding its usage in literature and discussions of morality.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 疚 with 愧 (kuì), which also relates to guilt but has a slightly different nuance. Remember that 疚 specifically emphasizes chronic feelings of guilt or remorse.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 疚
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Drill the tone of 疚 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 久 represents the sound.
1The meaning half疒 carries the sense.
2The sound half久 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaysickness
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 疚? 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 疚?
Decomposition of 疚
IDS Structure⿸疒久
疚Full Character
=
疒ne4
enclosing
久jiu3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 疚?
How to say chronic disease; guilt, remorse; sorrow in Chinese
“chronic disease; guilt, remorse; sorrow” in Chinese is疚jiù
The character 疚 (jiù) conveys feelings of guilt, remorse, or sorrow, often related to a sense of wrongdoing or chronic illness. It is commonly used in contexts discussing emotional states, particularly in literature or moral discussions, and can also refer to ongoing health issues.
When to use 疚
This character is typically used in serious or formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Be careful not to confuse 疚 with other similar-sounding characters; focus on the emotional and moral implications associated with it.
疚 or something close to it
愧 (kuì) - use 疚 (jiù) when referring to a deeper, often chronic sense of guilt or remorse, while 愧 (kuì) implies a more immediate or situational feeling of shame.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 疚 with 愧 (kuì), which also relates to guilt but has a slightly different nuance. Remember that 疚 specifically emphasizes chronic feelings of guilt or remorse.
Write 疚
疚
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Practice writing 疚 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 疚
疚 carries one core meaning. 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
Complete the Sentence
当我们感到愤怒时，压抑这种情绪反而会觉得内____。
When we feel anger, we bury the emotion and feel guilty instead.
