Meanings of 鄙视
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About 鄙视
Podcast: 鄙视
Podcast: 鄙视
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AI Study Notes for 鄙视
轻视 (qīngshì) vs 鄙视 (bǐshì): use 轻视 for a milder form of disdain, while 鄙视 indicates a stronger, more contemptuous attitude.
Imagine a person looking down their nose at someone from a high pedestal, signifying disdain. The '鄙' part looks like a person (亻) sneering, while '视' combines 'to see' with a pair of eyes (视), suggesting that this person is judging others with contempt from a distance.
Be mindful of the tone when using 鄙视; it is quite strong and can come off as rude or arrogant. It is typically used in informal contexts. Common collocations include '鄙视他人' (despise others) and '鄙视的态度' (attitude of disdain).
As an HSK 6 word, 鄙视 connects well with other advanced vocabulary expressing emotions and evaluations. Students should focus on its usage in various contexts and practice forming sentences that convey disdain appropriately.
In Chinese culture, showing disdain can be particularly significant in hierarchical relationships, such as in workplaces or family settings. 鄙视 reflects social dynamics where respect is crucial, and looking down on someone can lead to social repercussions.
Learners often confuse 鄙视 with 轻视 (qīng shì), which means to underestimate someone rather than to disdain them. For example, saying '我轻视他' (I despise him) is incorrect; it should be '我鄙视他' to convey disdain.
Pronunciation of 鄙视
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Component Characters
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Grammar Patterns of 鄙视
鄙视 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 3 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
我永远不会原谅他。我____他。
I can never, ever forgive him. I despise him.
Example Sentences for 鄙视 (2)
Cultural Notes for 鄙视
In Chinese culture, showing disdain can be particularly significant in hierarchical relationships, such as in workplaces or family settings. 鄙视 reflects social dynamics where respect is crucial, and looking down on someone can lead to social repercussions.
In Western cultures, expressing disdain might be more openly criticized, whereas in Chinese culture, it can be a subtle yet impactful part of social interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions about 鄙视
鄙视 is generally considered informal and may not be appropriate in formal writing. Consider using more neutral terms like '不赞同' (disagree) instead.