愆 (qiān) - fault, transgression, error & to exceed, to delay

愆Tone 1

qiān ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

器情

愆 · qiān

fault, transgression, error;

to exceed, to delay;

a defect or shortcoming.

fault, transgression, errorto exceed, to delaya defect or shortcoming.

Usage highlights

fault and errorpast faultsto delay the dateto redeem faultsexcess and transgressionto accumulate faults

Synonyms

  • 过— fault, mistake
  • 错— error, wrong
  • 失— lapse, error
  • 咎— blame, fault

Antonyms

  • 功— merit, achievement
  • 德— virtue, moral excellence

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He admitted his fault (愆尤).
  • Don't blame yourself for past mistakes (前愆).
  • The project was delayed (愆期).
  • To redeem one's faults (赎愆).

Collocations

  • fault and error(愆尤)
  • past faults(前愆)
  • to delay the date(愆期)
  • to redeem faults(赎愆)
  • excess and transgression(愆过)
  • to accumulate faults(积愆)

Idioms

  • To redeem past misdeeds and start anew(赎愆补过)
  • Good fortune can offset misfortune(愆阳伏阴)
  • To cover up faults and gloss over errors(文过饰愆)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In classical Chinese ethics, 愆 represents a moral failing or violation of proper conduct.
  • The concept is important in Confucian thought regarding self-cultivation and rectifying errors.
  • Used in legal and administrative contexts in imperial China to denote official misconduct or negligence.

FAQ