Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
虐待 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
虐待nüèdàito mistreatHSK 7, v, rank #3244, Hard
虐待nüèdàito maltreatHSK 7, v, rank #3244, Hard
虐待nüèdàito abuseHSK 7, v, rank #3244, Hard
虐待nüèdàimistreatmentHSK 7, v, rank #3244, Hard
虐待nüèdàimaltreatmentHSK 7, v, rank #3244, Hard
nüèdài(nu:e4dai4) T4
  1. 1to mistreat
  2. 2to maltreat
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
虐待nüèdài(nu:e4dai4)

虐待 refers to the act of mistreating or abusing someone, often in a physical or emotional manner. It is commonly used in contexts involving the treatment of animals, children, or vulnerable individuals, highlighting a severe and unjust infliction of harm or suffering.

Frequency#3244DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions about 虐待 often relate to social issues like animal rights and child protection, mirroring global concerns but sometimes influenced by local traditions or practices.

Memory Tip

Think of 虐 as 'suffering' (it has a sharp, harsh feel) and 待 as 'to treat' (imagine treating someone harshly). Visualize a person with a cruel expression, mistreating a helpless creature, which helps link the idea of abuse with the characters.

Meanings of 虐待

nüèdài(nu:e4dai4)
1to mistreat
2to maltreat
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 虐待

虐待Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3244Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 虐待

JasonAmy

Podcast: 虐待

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 虐待

Quick Contrast

虐杀 (nüèshā) — use 虐待 when referring to mistreatment or abuse without necessarily implying death, whereas 虐杀 specifically means to kill in a cruel manner.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 虐 as 'suffering' (it has a sharp, harsh feel) and 待 as 'to treat' (imagine treating someone harshly). Visualize a person with a cruel expression, mistreating a helpless creature, which helps link the idea of abuse with the characters.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 虐待 with more neutral terms for treatment, as it specifically implies harshness. This word is typically used in serious contexts, such as legal or social discussions, and is more formal; avoid using it in casual conversations.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 虐待 connects with themes of ethics and morality, often seen in discussions about human rights. Focus on its usage in legal contexts or social issues to grasp its implications in deeper discussions.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions about 虐待 often relate to social issues like animal rights and child protection, mirroring global concerns but sometimes influenced by local traditions or practices.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 虐待 in lighter contexts, such as joking about minor disagreements, which is inappropriate. For example, saying '我虐待我的朋友' (I abuse my friend) in a joking manner should be avoided; use it only for serious matters.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 虐待

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 虐待 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

虐èoppressive
9 strokes虍
View full entry
待dāito stay
HSK 49 strokes彳
View full entry

Write 虐待

虐
待

Practice writing 虐待 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 虐待

虐待 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

他要调查的正是这一类____行为。

That's just the sort of abuse that he will be investigating.

Example Sentences for 虐待 (9)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他要调查的正是这一类虐待行为。

tā yào tiáo chá de zhèng shì zhè yī lèi nüè dài háng wéi。

That's just the sort of abuse that he will be investigating.
2
每八位女性中就有一位遭受伴侣的虐待。

měi bā wèi nǚ xìng zhōng jiù yǒu yī wèi zāo shòu bàn lǚ de nüè dài。

One in eight women lives in an abusive relationship.
3
那个男人是个施虐狂，喜欢虐待动物和人。

nà gè nán rén shì gè shī nüè kuáng， ， xǐ huān nüè dài dòng wù hé。

The man was a sadist who tortured animals and people.
4
虐待儿童案件常常没人举报，或者为缺乏相关知识的公民所忽略。

nüè dài ér tóng àn jiàn cháng cháng méi rén jǔ bào， ， huò zhě wéi quē fá xiāng guān zhī shí de gōng mín suǒ hū。

Cases of child abuse often go unreported or ignored by uninformed citizens.
5
门罗正在打电话，怒不可遏地说着她被这几个兄弟虐待的事。

mén luó zhèng zài dǎ diàn huà， ， nù bù kě è dì shuō zháo tā bèi zhè jī gè xiōng dì nüè dài de。

Monroe was on the phone, raging about her mistreatment by the brothers.
6
韦斯特对发生的虐待行为故意视而不见。

wéi sī tè duì fā shēng de nüè dài háng wéi gù yì shì ér bù jiàn。

West was wilfully blind to the abuse that took place.
7
当老恩萧发现他的儿子这样虐待他所谓的可怜的孤儿时, 这种逆来顺受使老恩萧冒火了.

dāng lǎo ēn xiāo fā xiàn tā de ér zǐ zhè yàng nüè dài tā suǒ wèi de kě lián de gū ér shí, , zhè zhǒng nì lái shùn shòu shǐ lǎo ēn xiāo mào huǒ.

This endurance made old Earnshaw furious, when he discovered his son persecuting the poor, fatherless child, as he called
8
人人一看便知，那个孩子受过虐待。

rén rén yī kàn biàn zhī， ， nà gè hái zǐ shòu guò nüè。

It was obvious to everyone that the child had been badly treated.
9
小潘认为这是不讲道理、不近人情的虐待,他感到惊讶 、 困感 、 愤怒, 但又无可奈何.

xiǎo pān rèn wéi zhè shì bù jiǎng dào lǐ、 、 bù jìn rén qíng de nüè, dài , tā gǎn dào、 jīng yà、 、 kùn, gǎn 、 fèn nù , dàn.

Pen was bewildered with wonder, perplexity, fury, at this monstrous and unreasonable persecution.

Cultural Notes for 虐待

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, discussions about 虐待 often relate to social issues like animal rights and child protection, mirroring global concerns but sometimes influenced by local traditions or practices.

Frequently Asked Questions about 虐待

You can use 虐待 when discussing issues of abuse in legal contexts, social work, or when advocating for animal rights.