罪魁祸首

• Pinyin: zuì kuí huò shǒu
• Desglose de hanzi: 罪 = 网 + 非 (net + wrong); 魁 = 鬼 + 斗 (ghost/fierce + dipper — to lead/dominate); 祸 = 礻+ 祸 (misfortune); 首 = pictograph of a head (leader)

Significado

el principal culpable; el responsable número uno

A set four-character idiom used to identify the main instigator of wrongdoing or the principal cause of a problem. Can refer to persons, institutions, or abstract factors. Common in political commentary, journalism, and analytical writing.

Ejemplos

1. 调查报告最终认定，监管失职是这场金融危机的罪魁祸首，而非单纯由市场波动引发。
2. 环保组织指出，高碳排放的工业生产方式才是全球气候加速恶化的真正罪魁祸首。
3. 这次食品安全事故的罪魁祸首是一家无证经营的小型加工厂，其卫生状况极为恶劣。

Guía de uso

Contexto: politics, journalism, law, social commentary

Tono: accusatory

Correcto

• 专家认为，长期缺乏有效监管才是此次公共卫生危机的罪魁祸首，相关部门必须承担应有责任。(Experts believe that the long-term lack of effective oversight is the chief culprit behind this public health crisis, and the relevant authorities must bear their due responsibility.)
• 历史学家在研究这段历史时，将极端民族主义思潮列为引发这场战争的罪魁祸首之一。(Historians studying this period of history have identified extreme nationalist ideology as one of the chief culprits that triggered the war.)

Incorrecto

• 我是这件事的罪魁祸首，抱歉 — 罪魁祸首 implies serious harm or wrongdoing; for minor mistakes use 责任在我 or 这是我的失误 instead

Origen e historia

罪魁 (chief criminal/ringleader) + 祸首 (source of disaster/prime cause of calamity)

Contexto cultural

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Universal