Chinese character 詗

It means to spy, investigate, or report hidden information.

The Han-era dictionary Shuowen Jiezi glosses 詗 as “knowing a place and telling it.” The character combines 言, the speech element, with 冋 as a sound element.

The Han-era Shiji, an early Chinese history, places it in covert work around Chang’an. The New Book of Tang (New Tang) uses it in 窺詗時事 for spying on current affairs.

Why is 詗 linked to 迥?

They share a sound element, not a meaning.

詗 combines 言 with 冋 as its sound element. Historical phonetic-series data groups it with 冋, 迥, 炯, and 扃: a connection in sound and character structure, not a shared definition. 迥 means “far” or “markedly different,” while 詗 concerns covert investigation. In simplified Chinese, 詗 is written 诇.

Can I send 詗 by itself?

It can sound like an accusation of spying.

In a quotation or historical discussion, that classical tone fits. In an ordinary message, the single character gives little context; spell out the intended meaning.