Meaning
报仇 means to take revenge or seek vengeance for a wrong or injury done to oneself or someone close. It carries the sense of retaliating against someone who has caused harm, often to restore honor or balance. This word is commonly used in contexts involving personal grudges, family honor, or justice.
Usage
This word is used in both spoken and written Chinese, often in dramatic or serious contexts. It frequently appears in literature, historical dramas, and martial arts stories. Native speakers often use it with objects like 报仇雪恨 (to avenge and wipe out hatred) or in patterns like 为...报仇 (to avenge for...). The tone is generally serious and carries emotional weight.
Examples
- 01他发誓要为父亲报仇。.He vowed to avenge his father.
- 02她终于找到机会报仇了。.She finally found an opportunity to take revenge.
Characters
Common collocations
- 为...报仇...to avenge for...
- 报仇雪恨to avenge and erase hatred
- 报杀父之仇to avenge one's father's murder
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 报 (to repay/reciprocate) with 仇 (hatred/enmity), literally meaning 'to repay hatred,' which naturally evolved to mean taking revenge.