孽
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: son born of a concubine
💡 Son (子) from a concubine (薛 sounds like 'snow')—a 'snowy' child brings trouble.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
孽 (niè) originally referred to a son born of a concubine, a secondary status. Its radical 子 (child) hints at birth. Over time, the meaning broadened to 'evil, sin, or disaster,' as seen in words like 罪孽 (sin) and 孽缘 (unfortunate fate). The character also appears in 孽子 (unfilial son) and 孽障 (evil obstacle), reflecting moral condemnation.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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