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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#7171DifficultyVery Hard
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.
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.
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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Decomposition of 邪
IDS Structure⿰牙阝
邪Full Character
=
牙ya2
left
阝yi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 邪?
How to say wrong, evil, demonic; perverse, depraved, heterodox in Chinese
“wrong, evil, demonic; perverse, depraved, heterodox” in Chinese is邪xié
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.
When to use 邪
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.
邪 or something close to it
邪 (xié) vs 恶 (è) — use 邪 for moral wrongness or heterodoxy, while 恶 emphasizes malice or wickedness.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 邪
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.
