狷 (juàn) - Impetuous & rash

狷Tone 4

juàn ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

傑君

狷 · juàn

Impetuous;

rash;

impatient;

also refers to being upright and unwilling to compromise.

Impetuousrashimpatient

Usage highlights

Impatient and rashUpright and uncompromisingStraightforward and uprightImpetuous natureRash and recklessNarrow

Synonyms

  • 急— impatient, hurried
  • 躁— rash, impetuous
  • 介— upright, principled

Antonyms

  • 缓— slow, gradual
  • 柔— soft, flexible
  • 和— harmonious, mild

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is impatient by nature (性情狷急).
  • The scholar was known for his uncompromising integrity (狷介之士).
  • Avoid being too rash in your actions (不要过于狷急).
  • She has a straightforward and upright character (性格狷直).

Collocations

  • Impatient and rash(狷急)
  • Upright and uncompromising(狷介)
  • Straightforward and upright(狷直)
  • Impetuous nature(狷性)
  • Rash and reckless(狷狂)
  • Narrow-minded and stubborn(狷狭)

Idioms

  • To be impatient and act rashly(狷急行事)
  • An upright and uncompromising scholar(狷介之士)
  • Impetuous and narrow-minded(狷狭之性)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian philosophy, '狷' describes someone who is overly cautious and refuses to compromise, contrasting with the '狂' (wild) personality type.
  • The term appears in classical texts like the Analects, where Confucius discusses different types of people.
  • Traditionally used to describe scholars who maintained their principles but were sometimes too rigid.

FAQ