惺 (xīng) - Wise, intelligent, understanding & awake, clear-headed

惺Tone 1

xīng ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

信嫣

惺 · xīng

Wise, intelligent, understanding;

awake, clear-headed;

also used in words describing mutual understanding and sympathy.

Wise, intelligent, understandingawake, clear-headedalso used in words describing mutual understanding and

Usage highlights

Intelligent personMutual understandingFully awakePretend to understandClearWise and intelligent

Synonyms

  • 聪— clever, intelligent
  • 明— bright, clear
  • 悟— awakened, enlightened

Antonyms

  • 愚— foolish, stupid
  • 昧— dark, ignorant
  • 昏— dizzy, confused

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is a very intelligent person (惺惺之人).
  • After drinking coffee, I feel fully awake (惺惺然).
  • They have a mutual understanding (惺惺相惜).
  • Don't pretend to be understanding (不要惺惺作态).

Collocations

  • Intelligent person(惺惺之人)
  • Mutual understanding(惺惺相惜)
  • Fully awake(惺惺然)
  • Pretend to understand(惺惺作态)
  • Clear-headed(惺惺的)
  • Wise and intelligent(惺惺聪明)

Idioms

  • The wise appreciate the wise(惺惺相惜)
  • Pretending to be sympathetic(惺惺作态)
  • Wise and alert(惺惺不昧)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant 'awake, clear-headed' in classical Chinese, later extended to mean 'intelligent, understanding'.
  • Often used in Buddhist texts to describe a state of mental clarity and awareness.
  • The phrase '惺惺相惜' describes mutual appreciation between people of similar talent or understanding.

FAQ