Meaning
罪恶 refers to morally wrong or wicked actions, encompassing both religious concepts of sin and secular notions of evil deeds or crimes. It carries a strong negative moral judgment and is often used in formal, literary, or religious contexts to describe serious wrongdoing or immoral behavior.
Usage
This is a relatively formal word commonly found in written Chinese, news reports, legal contexts, and religious discourse. Native speakers use it to describe serious moral transgressions rather than minor mistakes. It often appears in phrases condemning criminal activity or discussing ethical issues.
Examples
- 01战争给人民带来了巨大的罪恶和苦难。.War brought tremendous evil and suffering to the people.
- 02他对自己过去的罪恶深感后悔。.He deeply regrets the sins of his past.
Characters
Common collocations
- 罪恶感sense of guilt, feeling of sin
- 罪恶的行为evil deeds
- 揭露罪恶to expose evil/crimes
- 充满罪恶full of sin/evil
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters have ancient origins. 罪 originally depicted a net (罒) over wrongdoing, symbolizing capture for crimes. 恶 combines 亚 (inferior) with 心 (heart), representing a corrupted or base heart.