丑恶

• Pinyin: chǒu è
• Hanzi breakdown: 丑 = pictograph representing ugliness; 恶 = 亚 + 心 (heart) = evil/bad

Meaning

Ugly and evil; hideous; vile; morally repugnant.

Combines physical ugliness with moral depravity. Used to describe reprehensible behavior, corrupt practices, or morally offensive phenomena. Stronger than 难看 or 恶劣.

Examples

1. 这部纪录片揭露了人性丑恶的一面。 This documentary exposes the ugly side of human nature.
2. 贪污腐败是社会最丑恶的现象之一。 Corruption is one of the most vile phenomena in society.
3. 他丑恶的嘴脸终于被人们看清了。 His hideous true face has finally been seen by people.

Usage Guide

Context: criticism, moral discourse, media

Tone: condemning

Do Say

• 战争暴露了人性中最丑恶的一面。(War exposes the ugliest side of human nature.)
• 他的丑恶行径最终受到了法律的制裁。(His vile actions were eventually punished by law.)

Don't Say

• 这件衣服很丑恶 (Too strong for clothes — use 难看 or 丑 for appearance)

Origin & History

Compound of 丑 (ugly) and 恶 (evil/bad). Combines aesthetic and moral judgments.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal