啣 (xián) - To hold in the mouth & to harbor (feelings)

啣Tone 2

xián ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

啣 · xián

To hold in the mouth;

to harbor (feelings);

to bear (a grudge);

to contain.

To hold in the mouthto harbor (feelings)to bear (a grudge)

Usage highlights

Hold in the mouthHarbor resentmentHorse's bitHold a titleSwallow a grievance

Synonyms

  • 含— to hold in the mouth; to contain
  • 衔— to hold in the mouth; rank, title (more common variant)

Antonyms

  • 吐— to spit out
  • 释— to release; to let go

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The bird held a twig in its beak (鸟啣着一根树枝).
  • He harbored deep resentment (他啣恨在心).
  • The horse was fitted with a bit (给马戴上马啣).

Collocations

  • Hold in the mouth(啣着)
  • Harbor resentment(啣恨)
  • Horse's bit(马啣)
  • Hold a title(啣职)
  • Swallow a grievance(啣冤)

Idioms

  • To die with a grievance unredressed(啣冤负屈)
  • To hold a jade token as a sign of office(啣玉佩金)
  • To hold a blade in the mouth(啣刀)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a horse's bit, later extended to the action of holding something in the mouth.
  • Used metaphorically in literature to describe harboring deep-seated emotions, especially resentment or unfulfilled wishes.
  • Appears in classical texts and idioms, often conveying a sense of unspoken burden or unavenged wrong.

FAQ