hsien

American  

[shyuhn] / ʃyʌn /

Pinyin, xian

noun

plural

hsien

1. (in popular Chinese religion) one of a group of benevolent spirits promoting good in the world.

2. (in China) a county or district.

---

Etymology

Origin of hsien

First recorded in 1965–70; from Chinese (Wade-Giles) hsien1, (Pinyin) xiān “hermit, wizard”

Example Sentences

His son and former PM Lee Hsien Loong told CNBC: "If you ask the Singaporeans, on the one hand, they'll say let us do our own thing, on the other hand, whenever an issue comes up, they'll ask what the government is doing about it."

From BBC

But his two siblings -- corporate executive Lee Hsien Yang and the late neurologist Lee Wei Ling -- have pointed to language in their father's will calling for its demolition.

From Barron's

Her death a year ago has left the five-bedroom bungalow empty, reigniting calls from Lee Hsien Yang -- who bought the property from his older brother in 2015 -- for the will to be implemented.

From Barron's

Lee Hsien Yang and his wife, as well as one of their sons, have lived abroad for several years in self-imposed exile.

From BBC

Lee Hsien Loong stepped down as PM earlier this year and remains in cabinet as a senior minister.

From BBC