Meanings of 恶
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 恶
Podcast: 恶
Podcast: 恶
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 恶
恶 (è, evil) vs 坏 (huài, bad) — use 恶 for moral or intense negative connotations, while 坏 is more general.
Imagine a fierce animal (like a wolf) that you fear and loathe (恶). The character has a radical that resembles a heart (心) at the bottom, symbolizing the strong negative emotions you feel towards something evil or ugly. Picture this fierce wolf as a representation of your strongest fears, making the connection between the radical and the character's meaning memorable.
Learners often confuse 恶 (ě) with 惡 (è), which has similar meanings but can differ in usage contexts. Remember that 恶 is typically used in more informal or everyday language, while 惡 may appear in literary contexts. Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
Although 恶 (ě) may not appear in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with HSK Level 3 words like 恨 (hèn, to hate) and 坏 (huài, bad). Focus on the emotional nuances of words expressing negative feelings, as they often appear in conversations about morality or personal experiences.
In Chinese culture, the concept of evil (恶) is often discussed in the context of morality and ethics, particularly in literature and philosophy. The duality of good and evil is a prevalent theme in traditional stories and teachings, reflecting societal values.
Learners often mistakenly use the wrong tone, saying 恶 (è) instead of 恶 (ě), which changes the meaning entirely. Additionally, they may confuse it with similar words; for instance, saying '我觉得这个人很坏' (I think this person is very bad) instead of using 恶 to emphasize personal feelings.
Pronunciation of 恶
Drill the tone of 恶 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 恶
Phonosemantic compound. 心 represents the meaning and 亚 represents the sound. Simplified form of 惡.
heart
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 恶?
Decomposition of 恶
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 恶?
Write 恶
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 恶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 恶
恶 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 14 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.
Complete the Sentence
勿以善小而不为，勿以____小而为之。
Do not fail to do good just because it is small; do not do evil just because it is small.
Common Confusions with 恶
Similar sound but different usage and meaning.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to hate"?
Example Sentences for 恶 (10)
Cultural Notes for 恶
In Chinese culture, the concept of evil (恶) is often discussed in the context of morality and ethics, particularly in literature and philosophy. The duality of good and evil is a prevalent theme in traditional stories and teachings, reflecting societal values.
Word Family of 恶
Compound Meaning
What does 恶心 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 恶
恶 (è) and 惡 (è) are two forms of the same character, with 恶 being the simplified version commonly used in Mainland China. 惡 is the traditional form used in places like Taiwan and Hong Kong. They both share the same meanings and usage.