Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'shameless and devoid of integrity.' It describes someone who has no sense of shame or moral principles, often used to criticize corrupt or unscrupulous behavior. The word 寡 (few/lacking) and 鲜 (rare) both mean 'lack of,' while 廉 (integrity) and 耻 (shame) refer to the qualities the person is missing. Use it in formal or literary contexts to condemn someone's moral depravity.
f.e.
shameless and corruptlacking any sense of integrity or shame
Examples
- 寡廉鲜耻，。Zhèxiē guānyuán guǎ lián xiān, jìngrán tānwū le nàme duō gōngkuǎn.These officials are shameless and corrupt—they embezzled so much public money.
- ，寡廉鲜耻。Tā wèile lìyì bù zé shǒuduàn, zhēnshi guǎ lián xiān.He stops at nothing for profit—truly shameless and devoid of integrity.
- 寡廉鲜耻，。Zhè zhǒng guǎ lián xiān de xíngwéi, shòudào le shèhuì gèjiè de qiǎnzé.This kind of shameless and corrupt behavior has been condemned by all sectors of society.
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