Definition
洗冤 is a verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to clear someone's name' or 'to right a wrong'. It literally combines 洗 (to wash/cleanse) and 冤 (injustice/wrong). It is often used in legal or historical contexts, like exonerating a wrongly accused person. As a separable verb, you can insert other words between the two characters — for example, 洗了冤 ('cleared the injustice') or 洗不清冤 ('cannot clear the wrong').
v.o.
to right a wrongto clear someone's nameto vindicate oneself
Examples
- 洗冤。Zhè qǐ yuān'àn zhōngyú xǐ yuān le.This injustice has finally been cleared.
- 。Tā huā le shí nián shíjiān cái xǐ qīng zìjǐ de yuān.It took him ten years to clear his own name.
- ，洗冤。Zài gǔdài, guānyuán yào wèi bǎixìng xǐ yuān.In ancient times, officials had to right the wrongs for the people.
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