鬩 (xì) - To quarrel & to have internal strife or conflict

鬩Tone 4

xì ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

鬩 · xì

To quarrel;

to have internal strife or conflict;

often used to describe discord within families or groups.

To quarrelto have internal strife or conflictoften used to describe discord within families or

Usage highlights

Internal quarrelBrothers quarrelingFamily strifeQuarrel over triflesInternal conflictDomestic discord

Synonyms

  • 争— to dispute; to contend
  • 吵— to quarrel; to argue
  • 斗— to fight; to struggle

Antonyms

  • 和— harmony; peace
  • 睦— harmonious; friendly

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The brothers quarreled over the inheritance (兄弟阋墙).
  • Internal strife weakened the organization (内部阋斗).
  • Family disputes are common in large households (家庭阋争).

Collocations

  • Internal quarrel(阋争)
  • Brothers quarreling(兄弟阋)
  • Family strife(家庭阋)
  • Quarrel over trifles(阋隙)
  • Internal conflict(阋斗)
  • Domestic discord(阋墙)

Idioms

  • Brothers quarreling at home(兄弟阋墙)
  • Internal strife inviting external trouble(阋墙招侮)
  • Family disputes and internal conflicts(阋墙之争)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character appears in classical texts like the Book of Songs, describing family conflicts.
  • Often used in the idiom '兄弟阋墙' to warn against internal strife weakening the family unit.
  • Represents the Confucian value of family harmony, with its breach seen as particularly disruptive.

FAQ