可恶
Traditional: 可惡
kě wù HSK 6

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

这种行为真可恶。
Zhè zhǒng xíngwéi zhēn kěwù.
This behavior is truly detestable.
可恶的骗子骗了老人。
Kěwù de piànzi piànle lǎorén.
The hateful swindler deceived the elderly.
天气可恶,影响了计划。
Tiānqì kěwù, yǐngxiǎngle jìhuà.
The hateful weather affected the plan.
这个人真可恶。
Zhège rén zhēn kěwù.
This person is really hateful.
可恶的骗子!
Kěwù de piànzi!
Hateful liar!

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 可恶 as 'can be hated' (可 + 恶). Imagine someone doing something so annoying you say, 'That's so hateful—I can hate it!' to link the meaning to the characters.

📝 Usage Notes

It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, though it carries a strong emotional tone and is more informal. It's often used in exclamations to express frustration or condemnation, such as when complaining about annoying situations, unethical people, or unfair events.

📖 Grammar Points

Often used attributively before nouns with 的 (e.g., 可恶的人) or predicatively in phrases like 太可恶了 or 真可恶 to emphasize the feeling. It can stand alone as an exclamation: '可恶!'

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese media and daily speech, 可恶 is frequently used to vilify villains or criticize unjust acts, reflecting a cultural emphasis on moral judgment. It's common in animated or dramatic contexts to heighten emotional expression.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 讨厌 (tǎoyàn, 'annoying/dislike') but stronger and more morally charged; 讨厌 can be milder or used casually, while 可恶 implies deeper resentment. Also compare to 可恨 (kěhèn, 'hateful'), which is very close in meaning but slightly more literary.

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