Meanings of 颦
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About 颦
Podcast: 颦
Podcast: 颦
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AI Study Notes for 颦
皱 (zhòu) - use 颦 (pín) when emphasizing a frown as an expression of emotional turmoil, while 皱 (zhòu) refers more generally to the act of wrinkling, such as fabric or skin.
Be mindful of the tone when using 颦, as it may carry a formal or literary connotation. Common collocations include 皱眉 (zhòu méi, to frown) and 颦眉 (pín méi, to knit one's brows). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings.
Though 颦 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial for learners at higher levels to recognize how it fits into expressions of emotion. Students should focus on the context in which facial expressions are described in literature.
Learners may confuse 颦 with 皱 (zhòu), which means to wrinkle or crease. A common mistake is using 颦 in casual conversation, where it feels overly formal; instead, use 皱眉 (zhòu méi) for a more natural expression.
Pronunciation of 颦
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Etymology of 颦
despise
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 颦
- 1The meaning half卑 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half频 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaydespise
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 颦? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 颦
Identify the Components
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How to say to frown; to knit the brows in Chinese
“to frown; to knit the brows” in Chinese is颦
The character 颦 (pín) means to frown or scowl, typically indicating displeasure or concern. It is often used in contexts where someone's facial expression reflects emotional turmoil or dissatisfaction. This character emphasizes the physical manifestation of emotions, particularly in literature and poetry.
When to use 颦
Be mindful of the tone when using 颦, as it may carry a formal or literary connotation. Common collocations include 皱眉 (zhòu méi, to frown) and 颦眉 (pín méi, to knit one's brows). Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings.
颦 or something close to it
皱 (zhòu) - use 颦 (pín) when emphasizing a frown as an expression of emotional turmoil, while 皱 (zhòu) refers more generally to the act of wrinkling, such as fabric or skin.
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse 颦 with 皱 (zhòu), which means to wrinkle or crease. A common mistake is using 颦 in casual conversation, where it feels overly formal; instead, use 皱眉 (zhòu méi) for a more natural expression.
Write 颦
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Practice writing 颦 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 颦
Compound Meaning
What does 一颦一笑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 颦
While both refer to frowning, 颦 specifically emphasizes the act of knitting the brows, often in a literary context, whereas 皱眉 is a more common term for simply frowning.
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