虐

nvè

一 + 匚 + 虍

Definitions

nvè (bound form) brutal; oppressive; harsh; (literary) disaster; catastrophe

Etymology

Depicts a tiger (虍) attacking a person (人).

About

Consisting of 虍 (tiger) over 人 (person), 虐 originally depicted a tiger attacking a person. From this image of violent assault, the meaning shifted to describe human cruelty, tyranny, and oppressive behavior, later broadening from physical savagery to systemic abuse, maltreatment, and the harsh exercise of power over the vulnerable. It commonly appears in words related to torture, mistreatment, and severe physical or psychological harm.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们反对虐待动物。

wǒ men fǎn duì nüè dài dòng wù。

We oppose animal abuse.

这部电影很虐心。

zhè bù diàn yǐng hěn nüè xīn。

This movie is very heart-wrenching.

他受到虐待后报警了。

tā shòu dào nüè dài hòu bào jǐng le。

He called the police after being abused.

虐童行为必须受到法律严惩。

nüè tóng xíng wéi bì xū shòu dào fǎ lǜ yán chéng。

Child abuse must be severely punished by law.

暴虐的统治终于被推翻了。

bào nüè de tǒng zhì zhōng yú bèi tuī fān le。

The tyrannical rule was finally overthrown.

这种自虐的行为不利于健康。

zhè zhǒng zì nüè de xíng wéi bù lì yú jiàn kāng。

This kind of self-abusive behavior is not good for health.

历史上有些君主以虐杀为乐。

lì shǐ shàng yǒu xiē jūn zhǔ yǐ nüè shā wéi lè。

In history, some monarchs enjoyed killing cruelly.

防止虐待老年人是社会的重要责任。

fáng zhǐ nüè dài lǎo nián rén shì shè huì de zhòng yào zé rèn。

Preventing the abuse of the elderly is an important social responsibility.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 一

Component: 匚

Component: 虍

Example Words