桀
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: cruel
💡 Imagine a tyrant standing on a tree (木) to rule cruelly (桀).
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
Excavating the ancient character 桀, we uncover its pictographic roots: two feet above a tree, suggesting a person standing on wood, perhaps to assert dominance. Historically, 桀 is infamous as the name of the last king of the Xia dynasty, remembered for his tyranny and cruelty. Thus, 桀 came to denote 'cruel' or 'tyrannical' in Chinese. It forms part of idioms like 桀骜不驯 (rebellious and untamed), reflecting a fierce, unyielding nature.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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