讔 (yǐn) - Riddle & enigma

讔Tone 3

yǐn ｜ 23 strokes ｜ radical:

懿嘤

讔 · yǐn

Riddle;

enigma;

obscure or veiled words;

a form of riddle or allegorical expression in classical Chinese literature.

Riddleenigmaobscure or veiled words

Usage highlights

Riddle languageVeiled wordsAllegorical riddleObscure expressionHidden meaning

Synonyms

  • 谜— riddle, puzzle
  • 隐语— hidden language, cryptic speech
  • 暗语— secret code, covert language

Antonyms

  • 明言— explicit statement
  • 直白— straightforward, plain

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ancient text contained a cryptic riddle (讔语).
  • He spoke in veiled allegories (讔言).
  • The poem was an enigma wrapped in a riddle (讔谜).

Collocations

  • Riddle language(讔语)
  • Veiled words(讔言)
  • Allegorical riddle(讔谜)
  • Obscure expression(讔辞)
  • Hidden meaning(讔意)

Idioms

  • Speaking in riddles(出言如讔)
  • Hidden meaning within a riddle(讔中有讔)
  • Deciphering the allegory(解讔)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used in classical Chinese literature and philosophical texts to convey hidden meanings.
  • Associated with intellectual wordplay and allegorical expression in ancient China.
  • Appears in historical texts as a form of sophisticated communication among scholars.

FAQ