Meaning
鄙夷 expresses a strong feeling of contempt or disdain toward someone or something considered inferior, unworthy, or morally objectionable. It carries a sense of looking down on others from a position of superiority. This is a formal, literary term more common in written language than everyday speech.
Usage
This is a relatively formal word often found in written Chinese, news reports, or formal speeches. In casual conversation, speakers might use 看不起 instead. 鄙夷 typically takes a direct object and conveys stronger moral judgment than simple dislike.
Examples
- 01他用鄙夷的目光看着那些贪官污吏。.He looked at those corrupt officials with disdainful eyes.
- 02她的行为受到了同事们的鄙夷。.Her behavior was despised by her colleagues.
Characters
Common collocations
- 鄙夷的眼神disdainful look
- 受到鄙夷to be despised
- 鄙夷不屑to disdain completely
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters have classical origins. 鄙 originally meant 'border regions' or 'rustic,' later developing connotations of 'crude' or 'lowly.' 夷 referred to 'eastern barbarians' in ancient texts and came to mean 'foreign' or 'uncivilized,' eventually developing the sense of treating something as beneath oneself.