Definitions

(noun) harm; detriment
(noun) fraud; misconduct

Etymology

Two hands  breaking something  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character 弊 is a phono-semantic compound. Its upper component, 敝 (bì), meaning "shabby" or "worn out", provides the phonetic element. This sits above the radical 廾 (gǒng), which depicts two hands raised together. The character primarily denotes fraud, corruption, or systemic abuses within an organization or government. It also carries the broader sense of a disadvantage, detriment, or inherent flaw, standing in contrast to benefits or advantages. The worn-out component underscores a concept of degradation or breakdown, aligning with its use in words for harmful practices, cheating, or institutional decay.

Example Sentences Hide

对学习有害。

Zuòbì duì xuéxí yǒuhài.

Cheating is harmful to learning.

这个政策有端。

Zhège zhèngcè yǒu bìduān.

This policy has drawbacks.

我们要消除病。

Wǒmen yào xiāochú bìbìng.

We need to eliminate malpractices.

他指出了制度的害。

Tā zhǐchūle zhìdù de bìhài.

He pointed out the harms of the system.

这种做法的大于利。

Zhè zhǒng zuòfǎ de bì dà yú lì.

The disadvantages of this method outweigh the advantages.

公司正在改革以革除端。

Gōngsī zhèngzài gǎigé yǐ géchú bìduān.

The company is reforming to eliminate drawbacks.

分析问题时需权衡利

Fēnxī wèntí shí xū quánhéng lìbì.

When analyzing problems, one needs to weigh the pros and cons.

长期忽视这些病会导致严重后果。

Chángqī hūshì zhèxiē bìbìng huì dǎozhì yánzhòng hòuguǒ.

Long-term neglect of these malpractices will lead to serious consequences.