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March 24, 2026
侠(俠)xiá(xia2)
侠 (xiá) refers to a person who embodies chivalry, often characterized as a knight-errant or hero. This term is commonly used in literature and popular culture to describe individuals who act courageously for justice, often standing up for the oppressed. In everyday usage, it can imply bravery and a sense of moral righteousness.
Strokes8Radical亻Frequency#2791DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 侠 is deeply rooted in Chinese martial arts culture, often depicted in wuxia novels where heroes fight against injustice. This character represents not just bravery but also a commitment to moral principles, reflecting traditional Chinese values.
Memory Tip
Imagine a brave knight (侠) riding a horse, ready to fight for justice. The character has a radical that resembles a person (亻), emphasizing the human element of heroism, while the second part suggests a sense of action or movement, perfect for remembering a chivalrous figure.
Meanings of 侠
xiá(xia2)
1knight-errant
2brave and chivalrous
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 侠
侠Simplified
俠Traditional
8Strokes
亻Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#2791Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6
Podcast: 侠
Podcast: 侠
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AI Study Notes for 侠
Quick Contrast
义 (yì) — use 侠 (xiá) when emphasizing the chivalrous and heroic aspect of a person, while 义 (yì) focuses more on righteousness and moral duty.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a brave knight (侠) riding a horse, ready to fight for justice. The character has a radical that resembles a person (亻), emphasizing the human element of heroism, while the second part suggests a sense of action or movement, perfect for remembering a chivalrous figure.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when using 侠 (xiá); it is pronounced with a rising tone which can be confused with similar-sounding words. This character is typically used in more formal contexts or literature, so avoid using it in casual conversations unless discussing related themes. Common collocations include 侠客 (xiá kè - knight-errant) and 侠义 (xiá yì - chivalry).
HSK Study Tips
Although 侠 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects with other HSK 4 and 5 words related to ethics and heroism. Focus on its use in classical literature and modern media to see its application in different contexts. Knowing this word will enhance your understanding of chivalric themes in Chinese narratives.
Cultural Note
The concept of 侠 is deeply rooted in Chinese martial arts culture, often depicted in wuxia novels where heroes fight against injustice. This character represents not just bravery but also a commitment to moral principles, reflecting traditional Chinese values.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 侠 (xiá) with the similar-sounding character 霞 (xiá), which means 'rosy clouds' or 'glow.' For example, saying '我想成为一个霞' (wǒ xiǎng chéngwéi yīgè xiá) when they mean '我想成为一个侠' (wǒ xiǎng chéngwéi yīgè xiá) can lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 侠
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Grammar Patterns of 侠
侠 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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
这部电影最早在1957年上映，后被翻拍为《七____荡寇志》。
Originally released in 1957, the film was remade as "The Magnificent Seven".
Megastars like Jack Nicholson, who made $500 million from Batman alone, are unlikely to be affected.
Cultural Notes for 侠
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of 侠 is deeply rooted in Chinese martial arts culture, often depicted in wuxia novels where heroes fight against injustice. This character represents not just bravery but also a commitment to moral principles, reflecting traditional Chinese values.
Word Family of 侠
Words Containing This Character14
侠xiáhero俠
大侠knight大俠
武侠wǔxiáknight-errant武俠
游侠knight-errant遊俠
武侠小说a martial arts (wuxia) novel武俠小說
侠客chivalrous person俠客
侠义xiáyìchivalrous俠義
独行侠loner獨行俠
侠士knight-errant俠士
豪侠brave and chivalrous豪俠
水行侠Aquaman, DC comic book superhero (Tw)水行俠
侠气chivalry俠氣
任侠chivalrous任俠
三侠五义Sanxia wuyi (lit. Three knight-errants and five righteous one), novel edited from stories of late Qing dynasty pinghua 評話|评话 master storyteller Shi Yukun 石玉昆三俠五義
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 侠 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 侠
Common phrases include 侠客 (xiá kè - knight-errant) and 侠义 (xiá yì - chivalry).
Yes, while it's more commonly found in literature and film, it can still be used to describe someone who acts heroically in everyday situations.
侠 emphasizes chivalry and moral righteousness, while 英雄 generally refers to a hero in a broader sense, often highlighting bravery without the specific connotations of chivalry.
