邪恶
xié'è
The English word "evil" is translated into Chinese as 邪恶 (xié'è).
邪恶 is used to describe something that is morally corrupt. While it primarily functions as an adjective, it can also function as a noun to represent "evil" or "wickedness" in certain contexts.
Meaning: morally corrupt (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 邪 (xié), meaning 'wicked' or 'heterodox' and 恶 (è), meaning 'evil' or 'bad'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use this word as an adjective to modify a noun, you often add the particle 的 (de) to the end, such as in the phrase 邪恶的.
How do you pronounce it?
xié'è
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese medicine, terms involving 邪 (xié) refer to 'pathogenic factors' like wind or heat that cause illness. Here, it refers to an external force invading the body's balance rather than a person's moral character.
- The character 恶 (è) can also be pronounced as 'wù' when it refers to something 'vile' or 'disgusting' in a sensory way, such as a bad smell or an unpleasant sight.
- In Chinese martial arts, describing a technique as 邪 (xié) is a technical critique of its 'crooked' or 'unconventional' nature rather than a condemnation of the practitioner's morality.
Examples in context
- 他的邪恶行为损害了他人的利益。His evil behavior harmed the interests of others.
- 小明的老板是个真正的坏人。Little Ming's boss is a real evil person.
- 这片森林充满了邪恶的力量。This forest is filled with evil energy.
- 这个计划非常邪恶。Zhège jìhuà fēicháng xié'è.This plan is very evil.
- 他做了一些邪恶的事情。Tā zuòle yīxiē xié'è de shìqing.He did some evil things.
- 那个反派的角色很邪恶。Nàge fǎnpài de juésè hěn xié'è.That villainous character is very evil.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie they just watched.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你觉得那个反派怎么样？Nǐ juéde nàge fǎnpài zěnmeyàng?What did you think of the villain?
- 雨婷 Yuting我觉得他真的太邪恶了。Wǒ juéde tā zhēnde tài xié'è le.I think he was really too evil.
- 志强 Zhiqiang没错，他没有任何同情心。Méicuò, tā méiyǒu rènhé tóngqíngxīn.That's right, he has no compassion at all.
- 雨婷 Yuting希望最后他能被抓住。Xīwàng zuìhòu tā néng bèi zhuāzhù.I hope he gets caught in the end.
