遭到

• Pinyin: zāo dào
• Hanzi breakdown: 遭 = 辶 (movement) + 曹, meaning to meet with; 到 = 至 + 刂, meaning to arrive

Meaning

To suffer; to encounter; to be subjected to. To experience something negative or unwanted.

Always used for negative experiences. Common phrases: 遭到拒绝 (be rejected), 遭到批评 (be criticized), 遭到攻击 (be attacked), 遭到反对 (meet with opposition). Cannot be used for positive experiences.

Examples

1. 他的提议遭到了大多数人的反对。 His proposal met with opposition from most people.
2. 该公司因环境污染问题遭到了政府的严厉处罚。 The company was severely punished by the government for environmental pollution.
3. 这支球队在客场比赛中遭到了惨败。 The team suffered a crushing defeat in the away game.

Usage Guide

Context: news, reports, formal writing

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 他的建议遭到了拒绝。(His suggestion was rejected.)
• 这个决定遭到了广泛批评。(This decision met with widespread criticism.)

Don't Say

• 我遭到了表扬 — 遭到只用于负面事物，受到表扬用'受到'或'得到'

Origin & History

Compound of 遭 (to meet with, encounter) + 到 (to arrive, reach). Together meaning to encounter or be subjected to something, typically negative.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal