兮 (xī) - An ancient Chinese particle used in classical poetry

兮Tone 1

xī ｜ 4 strokes ｜ radical: 八

万响

兮 · xī

An ancient Chinese particle used in classical poetry and texts, similar to modern 啊 or 呀, expressing exclamation, pause, or emphasis.

An ancient Chinese particle used in classical poetry

Usage highlights

Classical particleChu Ci stylePoetic exclamationAncient textRhetorical particle

Synonyms

  • 乎— classical particle expressing question or exclamation
  • 哉— classical particle expressing exclamation
  • 耶— classical particle expressing question

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The opening of the ancient poem (关关雎鸠，在河之洲。窈窕淑女，君子好逑。参差荇菜，左右流之。窈窕淑女，寤寐求之。求之不得，寤寐思服。悠哉悠哉，辗转反侧。参差荇菜，左右采之。窈窕淑女，琴瑟友之。参差荇菜，左右芼之。窈窕淑女，钟鼓乐之。).
  • A line from the Chu Ci (路漫漫其修远兮，吾将上下而求索).
  • Used in classical exclamation (大风起兮云飞扬).

Collocations

  • Classical particle(兮)
  • Chu Ci style(楚辞体)
  • Poetic exclamation(诗兮)
  • Ancient text(古文兮)
  • Rhetorical particle(修辞助词)

Idioms

  • The long, long night(漫漫长夜兮)
  • The great wind rises(大风起兮云飞扬)
  • The road is long and far(路漫漫其修远兮)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Primarily used in classical Chinese poetry, especially in the Chu Ci (Songs of Chu) from the Warring States period.
  • Functions as a grammatical particle to create rhythm and express emotion in verse.
  • Strongly associated with Qu Yuan and the literary tradition of southern China.

FAQ