仇人

• Pinyin: chóu rén
• Hanzi breakdown: 仇 = 亻 (person) + 九 (phonetic) = hatred; 人 = pictograph of a standing person

Meaning

Enemy; foe; someone with whom one has a grudge or vendetta.

Refers to a personal enemy, not just an opponent. Implies a history of conflict or wrongdoing. Often appears in idioms and dramatic contexts. Stronger than 对手 (opponent) or 敌人 (enemy in general).

Examples

1. 他发誓要找到杀害父亲的仇人。 He swore to find the enemy who killed his father.
2. 仇人见面分外眼红。 When enemies meet, their eyes blaze with fury.
3. 她没想到多年的仇人竟然成了自己的邻居。 She never expected that her longtime enemy would become her neighbor.

Usage Guide

Context: conflict, drama, idioms

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 化敌为友比制造仇人更有智慧。(It's wiser to turn enemies into friends than to make more enemies.)
• 仇人相见，分外眼红。(When enemies meet, their eyes turn red with rage.)

Don't Say

• 我的仇人赢了比赛 (For sports/game opponents, use 对手 — 仇人 implies real-life vendetta)

Origin & History

Compound of 仇 (hatred/enemy) and 人 (person). Literally 'hatred person' — one who is the object of personal enmity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal