Definition
鞭笞 is a formal, literary verb meaning 'to lash' or 'to flog' — it's the act of whipping someone as punishment or coercion. In modern Chinese, it's rarely used literally; you'll mostly encounter it in figurative contexts, like 'to lash out at' or 'to castigate' someone in writing or speech (鞭笞社会丑恶现象). It carries a stronger, more violent tone than 批评 ('to criticize') and is reserved for serious denunciation.
v.
(literary) to lashto flog(figurative) to castigateto excoriate (in writing or speech)
Examples
- 鞭笞。Zhè piān záwén wúqíng de biān chī le shèhuì de fǔbài xiànxiàng.This essay mercilessly castigates the corrupt phenomena in society.
- ，鞭笞。Zài gǔdài, fànrén cháng bèi biān chī shì zhòng.In ancient times, criminals were often flogged in public.
- 鞭笞。Zuòjiā yòng xīnlì de bǐchù biān chī rénxìng de ruòdiǎn.The writer uses sharp strokes to excoriate the weaknesses of human nature.
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