奸
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: wicked
💡 A woman doing wrong (女 + 干) = wicked.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
Originally, 奸 depicted a woman (女) committing adultery, combining with 干 (to do). Over time, it evolved to mean 'wicked' or 'treacherous'. In ancient texts, it often referred to illicit affairs or deception. Today, it appears in words like 奸商 (unscrupulous merchant) and 奸诈 (crafty). Its radical 女 highlights its original association with women, though modern usage extends to general immorality.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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