凶
xiōng · HSK 6
ominous
😈 Sounds like SHEE-ONG — a shriek when something fierce attacks
The character shows a dagger (㐅) falling into a pit (凵). Something sharp dropping into a hole — that spells danger. The word covers both vicious behavior and bad omens.
凶 — 凵 (open container) + 㐅 (crossed lines marking a pit)
凶 is a pictograph showing a pit or hole (凵) with crossed lines inside, marking a dangerous trap one could fall into. From this image of a hazard, the character came to mean 'inauspicious,' 'fierce,' or 'ominous,' and is the opposite of 吉 (auspicious).