歉

qiàn
#2,144 most
frequent character
to apologize, to regret, deficient

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

歉 pairs 兼, which supplies the sound, with 欠, a figure with an open mouth, for the meaning. It began as not having enough food. The idea grew to any deficiency, then to regret and to apologizing.

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Homophones

HSK 5
欠qiàn
deficient, owe, to lack, yawn

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