Definitions

to accuse falsely

Etymology

To start  a witch-hunt also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "诬" derives from its traditional form "誣", structured with the speech radical "言" on the left and the component "巫" on the right, where "巫" originally denoted a shaman or witch and contributed semantically by associating with manipulative or deceitful acts, thus informing the character's core sense of falsehood. Etymologically, this construction led to the meaning of fabricating claims or engaging in deception, with the character's application in classical texts covering a range of dishonest statements. Over centuries, the meaning condensed more specifically into the act of leveling false accusations or slandering others, reflecting a narrowing from broader deceptive connotations to this focused legal and social implication.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

不要蔑别人。

Bùyào wūmiè biérén.

Don't slander others.

告了自己的同事。

Tā wūgàole zìjǐ de tóngshì.

He falsely accused his colleague.

没有人能陷我。

Méiyǒu rén néng wūxiàn wǒ.

No one can frame me.

她因被赖而生气。

Tā yīn bèi wūlài ér shēngqì.

She was angry because she was falsely blamed.

蔑他人是不道德的行为。

Wūmiè tārén shì bù dàodé de xíngwéi.

Slandering others is immoral behavior.

如果他被告,他会找律师。

Rúguǒ tā bèi wūgào, tā huì zhǎo lǜshī.

If he is falsely accused, he will find a lawyer.

那个证人陷了无辜的嫌疑人。

Nàgè zhèngrén wūxiànle wúgū de xiányírén.

That witness framed the innocent suspect.

尽管没有证据,他们还是蔑他贪污。

Jǐnguǎn méiyǒu zhèngjù, tāmen háishì wūmiè tā tānwū.

Despite having no evidence, they still slandered him for embezzlement.