仇

• Pinyin: chóu
• Hanzi breakdown: 仇 = 亻 (person) + 九 (nine, phonetic) = enemy/hatred

Meaning

Hatred; enmity; a grudge; an enemy or foe.

Refers to deep-seated animosity, often stemming from past wrongs. Used in compounds like 仇人 (enemy), 仇恨 (hatred), 报仇 (to take revenge). Strong emotional weight.

Examples

1. 他们两家结了三代人的仇。 The two families have had a feud spanning three generations.
2. 君子报仇十年不晚。 A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years.
3. 冤冤相报何时了，不如放下这段仇。 When will the cycle of vengeance end? Better to let go of this grudge.

Usage Guide

Context: conflict, history, drama, idioms

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 杀父之仇不共戴天。(The hatred of a father's murderer cannot be shared under the same sky.)
• 有仇报仇，有冤报冤。(Repay grudges with grudges, wrongs with wrongs.)

Don't Say

• 我跟他有点仇 (For minor disagreements, use 矛盾 or 过节 — 仇 implies serious enmity)

Origin & History

Ancient character originally depicting two people in opposition. Related to 雠 (enemy, variant form). Carries connotations of reciprocal animosity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal