损

• Pinyin: sǔn
• Hanzi breakdown: 损 = 扌(hand) + 员 (member, phonetic)

Meaning

To damage; to harm; to lose. Also: mean-spirited or sarcastic (colloquial).

As a verb, means to damage or cause loss. In colloquial speech, 损 describes a person who makes cutting or sarcastic remarks, often at others' expense. This dual usage makes it versatile in both formal and casual contexts.

Examples

1. 你也太损了，当着那么多人的面揭人家短。 You're so mean — exposing someone's flaws in front of all those people.
2. 这次投资损了不少钱，但也算是买了个教训。 I lost quite a bit of money on this investment, but at least I learned a lesson.
3. 他嘴巴特别损，说话总是带刺儿，不过心眼不坏。 He has a really sharp tongue and always speaks with a sting, though he's not actually a bad person.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, colloquial

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 别那么损，给人留点面子。(Don't be so mean — leave them some dignity.)
• 这话说得太损了。(That was a really cutting remark.)

Don't Say

• 在正式报告中用'损'形容人 (Don't use colloquial 损 meaning 'mean' in formal reports — use 尖刻 or 刻薄 instead)

Origin & History

Originally meant to decrease or diminish. The colloquial sense of 'mean' evolved from the idea of verbally 'damaging' someone.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal