冒犯
mào fàn HSK 6

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

他的话无意中冒犯了别人。
Tā de huà wúyì zhōng màofàn le biérén.
His words unintentionally offended others.
请不要冒犯当地的文化习俗。
Qǐng bùyào màofàn dāngdì de wénhuà xísú.
Please do not offend the local cultural customs.
他的行为严重冒犯了整个团队。
Tā de xíngwéi yánzhòng màofàn le zhěnggè tuánduì.
His behavior seriously offended the entire team.
别冒犯他。
Bié màofàn tā.
Don't offend him.
你冒犯我了。
Nǐ màofàn wǒ le.
You offended me.

💡 Memory Tip

Break down 冒犯 into 冒 (mào - to risk or emit) and 犯 (fàn - to violate), picturing someone 'risking a violation' that offends others—associate it with scenarios like accidentally insulting a friend to recall its meaning.

📝 Usage Notes

Used in formal and informal contexts, both spoken and written, to describe situations where someone feels slighted or disrespected. Common in apologies (e.g., 我冒犯了你, wǒ màofàn le nǐ - I offended you) or discussions of social etiquette. It is neutral but carries a serious tone when addressing interpersonal conflicts.

📖 Grammar Points

Often used as a transitive verb with an object (e.g., 冒犯长辈, màofàn zhǎngbèi - to offend elders). Can be modified by adverbs like 无意 (wúyì - unintentionally) or 严重 (yánzhòng - seriously). Frequently appears in passive constructions (e.g., 被冒犯, bèi màofàn - to be offended) or as part of verb-complement structures (e.g., 冒犯不得, màofàn bù dé - must not be offended).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 冒犯 relates to the importance of harmony and respect in social interactions, especially towards elders, authority figures, or traditions. Avoiding offense is key to maintaining face (面子, miànzi) and group cohesion, reflecting Confucian values of propriety.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 得罪 (dézuì), which focuses on causing offense that may lead to resentment or retaliation, 冒犯 emphasizes the act of violating norms or feelings directly. Compared to 侮辱 (wǔrǔ), which means 'to humiliate' and is more severe and intentional, 冒犯 can be milder and sometimes accidental.

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