可恶

• Pinyin: kě wù
• Hanzi breakdown: 可 = worthy; 恶 = 亚 + 心 (heart)

Meaning

Hateful; detestable; abominable. Expresses strong dislike or disgust toward someone or something.

A strong emotional expression indicating that something or someone is deeply offensive or despicable. Can be used as an exclamation to express frustration or anger. Often directed at behavior rather than people themselves.

Examples

1. 那个骗子太可恶了，专门骗老年人的养老金。 That scammer is so detestable — specifically targeting elderly people's pensions.
2. 可恶，又被堵在路上了，上班要迟到了。 Damn it, stuck in traffic again — I'm going to be late for work.
3. 虐待动物的行为实在可恶至极。 Animal abuse is absolutely abominable.

Usage Guide

Context: anger, frustration, moral judgment

Tone: angry

Do Say

• 这种欺诈行为太可恶了。(This kind of fraud is detestable.)
• 可恶！我的手机又没电了。(Damn it! My phone died again.)

Don't Say

• 这道数学题真可恶。(Avoid using 可恶 for inanimate difficulties — it implies moral judgment; use 难 or 烦人 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 可 (worthy of) + 恶 (hatred/evil). Literally means 'worthy of hatred.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal