adjective / noun HSK 5
evil · wicked · heretical · unhealthy qi
Meaning
邪 refers to anything that deviates from the proper, correct, or orthodox way. It encompasses moral wickedness, heretical beliefs, and in Traditional Chinese Medicine, pathogenic factors that invade the body causing illness.
Usage
Common in both everyday language (describing evil deeds or crooked behavior) and specialized contexts like TCM (邪气 'pathogenic qi'). Often appears in compounds rather than alone. Has strong negative connotations of deviating from virtue or health.
Examples
- 01他总是走歪门邪道赚钱。.He always makes money through dishonest means.
- 02中医认为邪气入侵会导致生病。.Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that invasion by pathogenic qi causes illness.
Common collocations
- 邪恶evil, wicked
- 邪气evil spirit; pathogenic qi
- 邪教cult, heretical sect
- 歪门邪道crooked ways, dishonest means
Antonyms
Origin
The character consists of 牙 (yá, tooth/fang) suggesting something threatening, and the radical 阝(city/mound), originally depicting deviation from the proper path or fortress.