Definitions

(verb) to insult; to humiliate
(noun) disgrace; dishonor; humiliation
(verb) to bring shame to

Etymology

Depicts a hand () using a farming tool () to remove dirty weeds. Based on the original meaning "to use a farming tool for weeding", now written as . The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "disgrace" and "humiliate".

About

The character "辱", denoting disgrace or insult, is structured from the components "辰" and "寸", where "寸" conventionally signifies a hand or measured action, while "辰" has been subject to interpretive debate, with some analyses proposing an ancient connection to agrarian tools or tasks perceived as humble, thus lending the character its initial connotations of debasement. Over time, its semantic range solidified around concepts of shame and dishonor, extending from describing a state of humiliation to actively meaning the act of insulting or demeaning others, as evidenced in classical literature and enduring in contemporary language without significant alteration to its fundamental sense.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他绝不能接受这种侮

Tā jué bù néng jiēshòu zhè zhǒng wǔrǔ.

He absolutely cannot accept this kind of insult.

这次失败对他来说是奇耻大

Zhè cì shībài duì tā lái shuō shì qíchǐdàrǔ.

This failure is a burning disgrace to him.

他人是极不文明的行为。

Wǔrǔ tārén shì jí bù wénmíng de xíngwéi.

Insulting others is extremely uncivilized behavior.

我们要捍卫国家的荣誉,不容玷

Wǒmen yào hànwèi guójiā de róngyù, bù róng diànrǔ.

We must defend the honor of our country and not allow it to be tarnished.

他忍受着屈,默默完成了工作。

Tā rěnshòuzhe qūrǔ, mòmò wánchéngle gōngzuò.

He endured the humiliation and silently finished the work.

历史的屈时刻提醒着我们奋发图强。

Lìshǐ de qūrǔ shíkè tíxǐngzhe wǒmen fènfā túqiáng.

The humiliating moments in history constantly remind us to strive for strength.

这种诽谤性的言论严重没了他的名声。

Zhè zhǒng fěibàng xìng de yánlùn yánzhòng rǔmòle tā de míngshēng.

This defamatory statement has severely sullied his reputation.

在强权面前不卑不亢,方能不使命。

Zài qiángquán miànqián bùbēibùkàng, fāng néng bù rǔ shǐmìng.

Only by being neither submissive nor arrogant in the face of power can one avoid failing the mission.