Han character 詖

It means biased or one-sided speech, and can describe crooked conduct. Older sources also use 詖 for arguing or flattering.

《說文解字》, an early Chinese character dictionary completed around 100 CE, glosses 詖 as 辯論, or arguing, and says an older form could stand for 頗. Its analysis identifies 言 as the speech element and 皮 as the sound element. In 《孟子》, 詖辭 names biased or partial speech that readers should scrutinize.

Why does 詖 have different readings?

The phrase and language around it change the shade. In Chinese, 詖辭 means biased speech, while 險詖 and 詖行 criticize crooked conduct. Japanese entries also list senses such as arguing, biased, and one-sided; Korean Hanja entries add crafty conduct, debate, and flattery; Teochew 詖話 can mean talking or chatting.

The written forms have specific links: 诐 is the simplified Chinese form; 《說文解字》 links 詖 with 頗 as an older form; and lexicographic notes record 陂 where 詖 appears in one 《荀子》 passage. These are particular historical or script relationships, not a rule for swapping the characters in modern text.

Can I send 詖 alone?

A bare 詖 is too ambiguous for a confident chat reading. Its language and surrounding phrase matter. If someone sends it by itself, ask for the sentence or source before guessing at their intent.

詖 is suited to classical quotations and language notes, where its literary sense is clear from context. In ordinary conversation, a lone character does not explain which meaning the writer intends.