Meaning
冤枉 describes situations where someone is blamed, accused, or punished unfairly for something they didn't do. It conveys a sense of injustice and can be used both as a verb (to wrong someone) and as an adjective (wronged, unjust). The word carries emotional weight and suggests the victim's innocence.
Usage
Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing unfair treatment, false accusations, or miscarriages of justice. Often appears in phrases like 受冤枉 (to suffer injustice) or 别冤枉好人 (don't wrong innocent people). The tone is serious and sympathetic toward the wronged party.
Examples
- 01他没偷东西，你别冤枉好人。, .He didn't steal anything, don't wrongly accuse an innocent person.
- 02我真的很冤枉，这件事根本不是我做的。, .I'm really wronged, I didn't do this thing at all.
Characters
Common collocations
- 受冤枉to suffer injustice
- 冤枉钱money wasted unfairly
- 别冤枉人don't wrongly accuse people
- 真冤枉really wronged/unjust
Antonyms
Origin
冤 originally depicted a rabbit caught in a net, symbolizing being trapped or wronged. 枉 combines 木 (wood) and 王 (king/rule), suggesting something bent or twisted away from what's straight and proper. Together they emphasize injustice and wrongful treatment.