zè

仄

Character · Adjective · Noun

narrow; oblique tone; uneasy

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 6 examples
1.

adjective

narrow; cramped; confined

literary

Often used in literary or formal contexts to describe tight physical spaces.

Zhè这
jiān间
wū屋
zi子
shí十
fēn分
bī逼
zè仄
 。

This room is extremely cramped.

Shān山
lù路
zè仄
xiá狭
 ，
jǐn仅
róng容
yī一
rén人
tōng通
guò过
 。

The mountain path was narrow and allowed only one person to pass.

2.

adjective

uneasy; troubled; guilty

literary

Describes a feeling of discomfort or guilt, often used in formal or written expressions.

Wèi未
néng能
rú如
yuē约
qián前
wǎng往
 ，
xīn心
zhōng中
shí十
fēn分
qiàn歉
zè仄
 。

Unable to go as promised, I felt extremely uneasy and apologetic.

Tā他
wèi为
cǐ此
shì事
shēn深
gǎn感
kuì愧
zè仄
 。

He felt deeply guilty and troubled about this matter.

3.

noun

oblique tone (in classical Chinese prosody)

technical

In classical Chinese poetry, tones are divided into level (平 píng) and oblique (仄 zè). Oblique tones include rising (上 shǎng), departing (去 qù), and entering (入 rù) tones.

Zhè这
shǒu首
shī诗
píng平
zè仄
xié协
tiáo调
 ，
dú读
qǐ起
lái来
lǎng朗
lǎng朗
shàng上
kǒu口
 。

This poem has harmonious level and oblique tones, making it very catchy to read.

Duì对
lián联
jiǎng讲
jiū究
píng平
zè仄
xiāng相
duì对
 。

Couplets pay attention to the opposition of level and oblique tones.