伥 (chāng) - Ghost of one devoured by a tiger & a person who helps a villain do evil

伥Tone 1

chāng ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 亻

偲嫦

伥 · chāng

Ghost of one devoured by a tiger;

a person who helps a villain do evil;

bewildered, lost

Ghost of one devoured by a tigera person who helps a villain do evilbewildered, lost

Usage highlights

Ghost serving a tigerBewildered ghostLost and confusedHelping the tyrantConfused and lost

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He was like a ghost serving the tiger (为虎作伥).
  • The lost soul wandered aimlessly (伥鬼 wandering).
  • In folklore, a person eaten by a tiger becomes its ghostly servant (伥鬼).

Collocations

  • Ghost serving a tiger(为虎作伥)
  • Bewildered ghost(伥鬼)
  • Lost and confused(怅怅, note: different character but similar sound)
  • Helping the tyrant(助纣为伥)
  • Confused and lost(迷迷伥伥)

Idioms

  • To play the jackal to the tiger(为虎作伥)
  • Helping a villain do evil(为虎作伥)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originates from ancient Chinese folklore where a person devoured by a tiger becomes a 'chang ghost' (伥鬼), forced to serve the tiger and lure more victims.
  • The term '为虎作伥' (playing the jackal to the tiger) became a common idiom describing those who help villains commit evil deeds.
  • Represents the concept of being controlled or bewitched by evil forces in traditional Chinese ghost stories.

FAQ