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March 24, 2026
讽刺(諷刺)fěngcì(feng3ci4)
讽刺 (fèngcì) means to satirize or mock someone or something, often using irony or sarcasm. It is commonly used in literature, media, and daily conversation to criticize social norms or behaviors in a humorous yet pointed way.
Frequency#3052DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
讽刺 has deep roots in Chinese literature, especially in classic works like 'The Travels of Lao Can' which employs satire to critique societal issues. Understanding this context can enhance appreciation of modern Chinese media.
Memory Tip
Think of 讽 (fèng) as a 'phoen' (phone) that rings to remind you to 'see' (ci) the irony in life. Visualize a phone call where the caller mocks a situation, emphasizing the humor in the critique.
Meanings of 讽刺
fěngcì(feng3ci4)
1to satirize
2to mock
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 讽刺
讽刺Simplified
諷刺Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3052Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 讽刺
Podcast: 讽刺
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AI Study Notes for 讽刺
Quick Contrast
嘲笑 (cháoxiào) — use 讽刺 when emphasizing irony or a deeper critique, while 嘲笑 focuses on simply making fun of someone.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 讽 (fèng) as a 'phoen' (phone) that rings to remind you to 'see' (ci) the irony in life. Visualize a phone call where the caller mocks a situation, emphasizing the humor in the critique.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to use 讽刺 in overly formal contexts, as it can come off as disrespectful. Common collocations include 讽刺作品 (satirical work) and 讽刺漫画 (satirical cartoon). Tone pitfalls include confusing the third tone (fèng) with the second tone.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 讽刺 connects with other words related to criticism and humor. Students should focus on recognizing its use in different contexts and practice forming sentences that convey satire.
Cultural Note
讽刺 has deep roots in Chinese literature, especially in classic works like 'The Travels of Lao Can' which employs satire to critique societal issues. Understanding this context can enhance appreciation of modern Chinese media.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 讽刺 with other words like 嘲笑 (chao2xiao4), which means to ridicule, but lacks the nuanced critique. For example, saying '他在讽刺我' (He is mocking me) may imply a lighter tone than intended; it should be more contextually appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 讽刺
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Grammar Patterns of 讽刺
讽刺 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
它用____的语言呈现了天主教作家郑重其事表明的观点。
It presented in satirical terms points made in earnest by Catholic writers.
Example Sentences for 讽刺 (10)
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1
它用讽刺的语言呈现了天主教作家郑重其事表明的观点。
tā yòng fěng cì de yǔ yán chéng xiàn le tiān zhǔ jiào zuò jiā zhèng zhòng qí shì biǎo míng de guān diǎn。
It presented in satirical terms points made in earnest by Catholic writers.
2
他的作品带有一种讽刺意味的幽默。
tā de zuò pǐn dài yǒu yī zhǒng fěng cì yì wèi de yōu mò。
There is a wry sense of humour in his work.
3
他常常讽刺或挖苦人，有时又会大发雷霆。
tā cháng cháng fěng cì huò wā kǔ rén， ， yǒu shí yòu huì dà fā léi。
He was often caustic and mocking, or flew into rages.
4
她现年87岁，曾经是齐格菲尔时事讽刺剧团的成员之一。
tā xiàn nián87 87， suì ， zēng jīng shì qí gé fēi ěr shí shì fěng cì jù tuán de chéng yuán。
She's 87 years old, and a one-time member of the Ziegfeld Follies.
5
说她进步了听起来倒像是一种讽刺。
shuō tā jìn bù le tīng qǐ lái dǎo xiàng shì yī zhǒng fěng cì。
Saying she's improved comes over as a backhanded compliment.
shù xué zuì chà de xué shēng jìng bèi xuǎn wéi bān jí cái wù gān shì, , zhè zhēn shì jù yǒu fěng cì yì.
It's ironical that the weakest student in mathematics was elected class treasurer.
Cultural Notes for 讽刺
🏮Cultural insight
讽刺 has deep roots in Chinese literature, especially in classic works like 'The Travels of Lao Can' which employs satire to critique societal issues. Understanding this context can enhance appreciation of modern Chinese media.
Frequently Asked Questions about 讽刺
Yes, but it should be used carefully to avoid misunderstandings or offense.
Not necessarily; it can be used positively to highlight absurdities or provoke thought about societal issues.
讽刺 specifically involves a critique or mockery of a subject, often with a social commentary, while other humor might not carry this critical aspect.
