惻

A reactive emotional state of sorrow or anguish triggered by witnessing the suffering of another; an empathetic response rather than a general mood of sadness. Depending on register, it may be rendered as "compassion," "commiseration," or "anguish."

In philosophical contexts (particularly Mencian), the pairing 惻隱 (//cè yǐn//) refers to the innate human capacity for empathy and often functions as a technical term for a moral "sprout" or an instinctive ethical impulse.

• Verb: To feel compassion; to be moved by pity.
• In Compounds: Often modifies the nature of sorrow (as in //cè yǐn//), suggesting a deep-seated internal ache triggered by external distress.

• vs. 憐 (//lián//): While //lián// can denote tenderness or pity, it is more general and may carry a tone of condescension or simple affection; 惻 is typically more acute and morally charged.
• vs. 悲 (//bēi//) / 哀 (//āi//): These are broad terms for grief or sadness (often personal). 惻 specifically denotes the sorrow felt for another.

// Tang-period reading: //chriək.

• Simplified variant: U+607B.