嚱 (xì) - An exclamatory particle used in classical Chinese and & also used in onomatopoeia.

嚱Tone 4

xì ｜ 20 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

嚱 · xì

An exclamatory particle used in classical Chinese and dialects to express strong emotion such as surprise, admiration, or lamentation;

also used in onomatopoeia.

An exclamatory particle used in classical Chinese andalso used in onomatopoeia.

Usage highlights

Exclamation of surpriseSighing soundOnomatopoeia for a sharp soundClassical exclamationExpressing admirationLamenting cry

Synonyms

  • 噫— interjection expressing surprise or regret
  • 吁— interjection expressing surprise or calling attention
  • 哉— classical particle expressing exclamation

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He let out a long sigh (噫吁嚱).
  • The sound of the sword being drawn (嚱的一声).
  • Used as an exclamation in classical poetry (蜀道之难, 难于上青天, 侧身西望长咨嗟 — here 嗟 is similar in function).

Collocations

  • Exclamation of surprise(嚱)
  • Sighing sound(嚱声)
  • Onomatopoeia for a sharp sound(嚱的一声)
  • Classical exclamation(噫吁嚱)
  • Expressing admiration(嚱, 美哉)
  • Lamenting cry(呜呼嚱)

Idioms

  • Alas, how perilous!(噫吁嚱, 危乎高哉)
  • Alas and alack(呜呼嚱)
  • An exclamation of surprise(嚱, 怪哉)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Primarily found in classical Chinese texts and poetry as an exclamatory particle.
  • Used in the famous line from Li Bai's 'The Road to Shu': '噫吁嚱, 危乎高哉' (Yi Xu Xi, how perilous and high!).
  • Rare in modern standard Mandarin but preserved in some dialects and literary contexts.

FAQ