jiàn

𬣡

Word · Adjective · AdverbTraditional諓

artful speech; flattering words

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 3 examples
1.

adjective

artful; flattering; characterized by insincere or glib speech

archaic

Describes speech that is cleverly flattering but insincere. Often used in classical texts to criticize smooth talkers.

Jiàn諓
jiàn諓
zhī之
yán言
 ，
bù不
kě可
jìn尽
xìn信
 。

Flattering words should not be entirely trusted.

Xiǎo小
rén人
jiàn諓
jiàn諓
 ，
jūn君
zǐ子
è諤
è諤
 。

Petty men speak with flattering artifice, while gentlemen speak frankly.

2.

adverb

incessantly; chattering on and on

archaic

Used in the reduplicative form 諓諓 to describe someone who talks excessively, often with the connotation of being annoyingly verbose.

Lǎo老
rén人
jiàn諓
jiàn諓
bù不
xiū休
 ，
shù述
shuō说
wǎng往
shì事
 。

The old man chattered on incessantly, recounting past events.