pejorative
Meaning: Expressing disapproval or contempt; used to describe words, phrases, or expressions that carry a negative or derogatory connotation.
Pejorative is a metalinguistic term — it describes the tone or connotation of other words rather than being negative itself. It is essential in academic discussion of language, sociolinguistics, and media analysis. Common collocations include 'pejorative term,' 'used pejoratively,' and 'pejorative connotation.' The word is also used as a noun: 'a pejorative' means a word or expression with negative implications.
Examples
- The word 'bureaucrat' is often used as a pejorative, implying inefficiency and rigidity. 官僚'一词常被用作贬义词,暗示效率低下和僵化。La palabra 'burócrata' se usa a menudo de forma peyorativa, insinuando ineficiencia y rigidez.「官僚」という言葉はしばしば蔑称として使われ、非効率性や硬直性を暗示する。관료(bureaucrat)'라는 단어는 종종 비효율성과 경직성을 암시하는 비하어로 사용된다.
- Linguists noted that the term had acquired increasingly pejorative connotations over the past century. 语言学家指出,在过去一个世纪里,该术语获得了越来越强的贬义色彩。Los lingüistas señalaron que el término había adquirido connotaciones cada vez más peyorativas a lo largo del último siglo.言語学者たちは、この用語がこの一世紀の間にますます蔑称的な含意を帯びるようになったと指摘した。언어학자들은 이 용어가 지난 세기에 걸쳐 점점 더 경멸적인 의미를 띠게 되었다고 지적했다.
- The report cautioned against using language that could be perceived as pejorative towards any ethnic group. 报告告诫不要使用可能被视为对任何族群带有贬义的语言。El informe recomendaba evitar un lenguaje que pudiera percibirse como peyorativo hacia cualquier grupo étnico.報告書はいかなる民族集団に対しても蔑称的と受け取られかねない表現の使用を戒めた。보고서는 어떤 민족 집단에 대해서든 비하적으로 받아들여질 수 있는 언어 사용을 경계할 것을 권고했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, linguistic, journalism
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Late Latin pejorātīvus, from Latin pejorāre (to make worse), from pejor (worse). Entered English in the late 19th century, primarily in linguistic and academic usage.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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