Meaning
丑恶 describes something that is both ugly in appearance and evil or morally repugnant in nature. It combines physical ugliness with moral corruption or wickedness. This word is often used to describe behaviors, phenomena, or aspects of society that are considered both aesthetically displeasing and ethically wrong.
Usage
This is a formal, literary term commonly found in written Chinese, news commentary, and serious discussions about social issues. It carries strong negative connotations and is used to condemn behaviors or phenomena. Native speakers often use it to describe social vices, corrupt practices, or morally reprehensible actions rather than just physical appearance.
Examples
- 01媒体揭露了这起腐败案件的丑恶真相。.The media exposed the ugly truth of this corruption case.
- 02我们要坚决抵制社会上的各种丑恶现象。.We must firmly resist all kinds of ugly phenomena in society.
Characters
Common collocations
- 丑恶现象ugly phenomenon
- 丑恶行为vile behavior
- 丑恶嘴脸hideous face/true ugly colors
- 揭露丑恶to expose evil/ugliness
Antonyms
Origin
The compound combines 丑 (ugly, unsightly) with 恶 (evil, wicked), creating a term that emphasizes both aesthetic and moral repulsiveness. This pairing reflects Chinese aesthetic philosophy where outer ugliness and inner evil are seen as interconnected.