How to Write 谴 (qiǎn) — Meaning “to condemn; to scold”

Imagine you are sending (遣) harsh words (讠) to criticize someone — you are condemning them. The visual of a messenger "dispatching blame" can help link the two parts. Picture the speech bubble on the left and the sending action on the right.

Be careful with the right side 遣: it starts with a horizontal stroke, then a vertical stroke, followed by the bottom radical 辶 (walk). The 辶 must have a long, smooth wave-like line that extends under the upper part. A common mistake is making the 辶 too short or forgetting the dot in the radical 讠.

Although all three share the speech radical 讠, their right sides differ: 谴 has 遣, 谨 has 堇 (meaning "clay" or "careful"), and 谩 has 曼 (meaning "long" or "slow"). In meaning, 谴 is to condemn, 谨 is to be cautious, and 谩 is to be rude or deceive. Visually, the right side of 谴 contains a 辶 (walk radical), which 谨 and 谩 lack.

谴 appears mainly in formal or written language, especially in news reports and political statements, in words like 谴责 (to condemn). It is not common in everyday conversation, but it is important for understanding criticism of wrongdoing, such as international condemnation of human rights violations. Cultural note: 谴责 carries a strong, serious tone and is often used by authorities or media to express official disapproval.

Common words containing 谴 include: 谴责 (qiǎn zé) — to condemn; to denounce; 谴词 (qiǎn cí) — choice of words; wording; 申谴 (shēn qiǎn) — to reprimand; to denounce.