歔 (xū) - To sob & to sigh

歔Tone 1

xū ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

信嫣

歔 · xū

To sob;

to sigh;

to exhale;

to breathe upon.

To sobto sighto exhale

Usage highlights

To sigh and sobTo sob and weepTo exhale breathSighing with emotionSobbing sadly

Synonyms

  • 叹— to sigh
  • 泣— to weep
  • 嘘— to exhale slowly; to sigh

Antonyms

  • 笑— to laugh
  • 喜— to rejoice

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He sighed deeply (歔欷).
  • She sobbed uncontrollably (歔泣).
  • The mystic breathed upon the talisman (歔气).

Collocations

  • To sigh and sob(歔欷)
  • To sob and weep(歔泣)
  • To exhale breath(歔气)
  • Sighing with emotion(感歔)
  • Sobbing sadly(悲歔)

Idioms

  • Sighing and sobbing(歔欷不已)
  • Breathing upon and nurturing(歔濡)
  • Sighing with admiration(叹歔)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Appears in classical texts describing emotional outpourings or mystical practices.
  • Often used in literary contexts to depict grief, lamentation, or spiritual breathing techniques.
  • The character combines '欠' (to lack, yawn) with '虚' (empty, void), suggesting a sigh from emptiness or longing.

FAQ