Definition
恶 (è) is a broad adjective meaning 'evil, wicked', 'fierce, vicious', or 'bad, unpleasant' (e.g., smell or taste). It is more general than 邪恶 (xié è), which specifically denotes moral evil, and 凶恶 (xiōng è), which focuses on a fierce, frightening appearance or nature. Unlike 丑 (chǒu) 'ugly in appearance', 恶 describes moral or qualitative badness.
adjective
evilwickedfierceviciousbadunpleasant (in quality, smell, taste)
Easily confused
- 哑yǎlook-alikemute, dumb
- 饿èsound-alikehungry
- 鹅ésound-alikegoose
Examples
- ，。Tā zuò le yí jiàn hěn xié è de shìqing, méi rén yuánliàng tā.He did an evil thing, and no one forgave him.
- ，。Nà tiáo gǒu hěn xiōng è, bié kàojìn tā.That dog is very fierce; don't get close to it.
- ，？Zhè wǎn tāng yǒu gǔ èchòu, shì bú shì huài le?This bowl of soup has a stink; has it gone bad?
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