瑕 xiá fault
fault; default
怎么记住“瑕”: 𤣩 king + 叚 false = fault. The king hands his crown to the old jeweller, who spots one false ruby, its only fault.
部件结构
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
瑕 = 𤣩 king + 叚 false
- 𤣩 king meaning
- 叚 false sound
The king hands his crown to the old jeweller, who spots one false ruby, its only fault.
How it came to be
Jade gives the meaning and the second part the sound; the word first meant a small red spot in jade.
用法
- A flaw in jade, hence a blemish/defect: 瑕疵 (xiácī) a minor flaw.
- 瑕不掩瑜 (xiábùyǎnyú), the flaws don't obscure the jade's luster, means the merits outweigh the defects: a common, generous evaluation. 完美无瑕 (wánměi-wúxiá) means flawless.