Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 折磨 | zhémó |
| 煎熬 | jiān'áo |
| 拷問 / 拷问 | kǎowèn |
| 酷刑 | kùxíng |
In Chinese, the word for torture varies based on whether you are describing mental distress, physical interrogation or a specific method of punishment. 折磨 can be used as both a noun meaning torment or torture, and as a verb meaning to torment. This includes both physical and mental torture, such as emotional distress or repetitive annoyance.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 煎熬 literally means 'to fry and to boil,' which describes a state of being subjected to intense heat or pressure.
Which one should you use?
The different forms of the word are specialized: 折磨 is used for both physical and mental torture, including emotional distress. 煎熬 emphasizes the prolonged, agonizing nature of suffering, often for mental or spiritual torment. 拷問 refers specifically to the act of interrogating someone through physical pain to extract information. Finally, 酷刑 is a noun that refers to a specific method or instrument of torture, often described as a severe punishment.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
zhémó
Did you know?
- The word 酷刑 (kùxíng) uses a character 酷 that is also found in the word for 'cool' in modern slang, though they are not etymologically related in that way.
- The character 拷 in 拷問 originally referred to the use of wooden manacles or stocks, rooting the modern word in specific historical instruments.
- The term 煎熬 (jiānáo) is a culinary metaphor where the characters literally mean 'to pan-fry' and 'to boil'.
Examples in context
- 扭转治疗是酷刑。Conversion therapy is torture.This sentence is useful for illustrating the use of 酷刑.Tatoeba #13835347 by rul, translation #11470705 by shekitten
- 在一些严厉的国家，政治犯可能会受到酷刑。In some strict countries, political prisoners may be subjected to torture.
- 据说古代的拷打手段非常残酷。It is said that ancient torture methods were very cruel.
- 国际社会对虐待独立记者的行为表示强烈谴责。The international community strongly condemns the abuse of independent journalists.
- 被独裁者摧残多年，这个国家陷入了极度的贫困。Ravaged by dictators for many years, this country has fallen into extreme poverty.
- 失去亲人对他来说是一种无法形容的煎熬。Losing a loved one is an indescribable agony for him.
- 这种心理折磨太可怕了。Zhè zhǒng xīnlǐ zhémó tài kěpà le.This kind of psychological torture is too terrible.
- 等待是一个漫长的折磨。Děngdài shì yīgè màncháng de zhémó.Waiting is a long torture.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a very stressful job.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你的工作压力这么大，太辛苦了。nǐ de gōngzuò yālì zhème dà, tài xīnkǔ le.Your work pressure is so high, it's too hard.
- 伟 Wei每天加班到深夜，简直是折磨。měitiān jiābān dào shēnyè, jiǎnzhí shì zhémó.Working overtime every night is simply torture.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你考虑换一份工作吗？nǐ kǎolǜ huàn yīfèn gōngzuò ma?Are you considering changing jobs?
- 伟 Wei我想，但我还没决定。wǒ xiǎng, dàn wǒ hái méi juédìng.I am, but I haven't decided yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “torture” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
