卑鄙

• Pinyin: bēi bǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 卑 = 丿 + 田 + 十 (low position); 鄙 = 啚 + 阝 (rustic area)

Meaning

Despicable; contemptible; mean. Morally low and worthy of scorn.

Strong condemnation of someone's character or actions as morally reprehensible. Used to describe underhanded tactics, treacherous behavior, or people who act without moral principles for personal gain.

Examples

1. 他用这种卑鄙手段陷害同事，实在令人不齿。 He used such despicable tactics to frame his colleague — truly contemptible.
2. 这种卑鄙小人迟早会受到报应。 Scoundrels like this will get their comeuppance sooner or later.
3. 没想到他表面上一副正人君子的样子，背地里却如此卑鄙。 I never expected him to appear so upright on the surface while being so despicable behind the scenes.

Usage Guide

Context: moral judgment, conflict, criticism

Tone: contemptuous

Do Say

• 他的行为太卑鄙了。(His behavior is despicable.)
• 我最看不起卑鄙的人。(I despise contemptible people the most.)

Don't Say

• 开玩笑说别人'卑鄙' (Don't jokingly call someone 卑鄙 — it's a serious moral condemnation)

Origin & History

卑 (low/humble) + 鄙 (vulgar/rustic). Both characters suggest lowliness, combined to mean morally base.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal