譾 (jiǎn) - Superficial, shallow, trivial & lacking in depth or substance

譾Tone 3

jiǎn ｜ 22 strokes ｜ radical:

嘉健

譾 · jiǎn

Superficial, shallow, trivial;

lacking in depth or substance;

often used to describe knowledge, understanding, or talent that is not profound.

Superficial, shallow, triviallacking in depth or substanceoften used to describe knowledge, understanding, or talent

Usage highlights

Superficial knowledgeShallow understandingTrivial opinionShallow learningSuperficial talentShallow and narrow

Synonyms

  • 淺— shallow, superficial
  • 陋— crude, vulgar, shallow
  • 薄— thin, weak, shallow

Antonyms

  • 深— deep, profound
  • 博— extensive, wide, profound
  • 精— refined, exquisite, profound

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • His knowledge of the subject is quite superficial (譾陋).
  • I have only a shallow understanding of this matter (譾識).
  • She offered some trivial opinions (譾見).
  • This is just my shallow view (譾見).

Collocations

  • Superficial knowledge(譾陋)
  • Shallow understanding(譾識)
  • Trivial opinion(譾見)
  • Shallow learning(譾學)
  • Superficial talent(譾才)
  • Shallow and narrow(譾狹)

Idioms

  • Superficial knowledge and shallow learning(譾陋寡聞)
  • Shallow views and trivial opinions(譾見謭識)
  • Trivial talent and shallow learning(譾才謭學)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Traditionally used in classical Chinese to criticize inadequate scholarship or understanding.
  • Often appears in self-deprecating contexts where speakers modestly downplay their own knowledge.
  • Reflects the high value placed on deep, comprehensive learning in Chinese scholarly tradition.

FAQ