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轻蔑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
轻蔑qīngmièto contemptHSK 7, unknown, 23 strokes, rank #19065, Very Hard
轻蔑qīngmièto disdainHSK 7, unknown, 23 strokes, rank #19065, Very Hard
轻蔑qīngmièpejorativeHSK 7, unknown, 23 strokes, rank #19065, Very Hard
qīngmiè(qing1mie4)qing mie T1
  1. 1to contempt
  2. 2to disdain
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March 24, 2026

轻蔑(輕蔑)qīngmiè(qing1mie4)

轻蔑 (qīngmiè) means to regard someone or something with contempt or disdain, often implying a sense of superiority over the subject. It is commonly used in contexts where one expresses a lack of respect or scorn, particularly in social or interpersonal situations. The term carries a negative connotation and can reflect one's judgment of another's worth or abilities.

Strokes23Frequency#19065DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, showing 轻蔑 can seriously affect interpersonal relationships, as respect is highly valued. Expressing disdain, especially publicly or toward authority figures, is often frowned upon and can lead to social ostracism.

Memory tip

Imagine a light (轻) weight being easily dismissed (蔑) as unimportant. Picture someone effortlessly tossing aside something trivial, illustrating the disdain captured in 轻蔑. The 'qīng' sounds like 'king', and you can think of a king looking down lightly on subjects he considers unworthy.

Meanings of 轻蔑

qīngmiè(qing1mie4)
1to contempt
2to disdain
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About 轻蔑

轻蔑Simplified
輕蔑Traditional
23Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 轻蔑

Quick Contrast

轻视 (qīngshì) vs 轻蔑 (qīngmiè): use 轻蔑 when expressing a deeper sense of contempt, while 轻视 indicates a more general lack of regard.

Usage Notes

Be cautious using 轻蔑 in formal contexts, as it can come across as rude or insulting. Common collocations include '以轻蔑的态度' (with a contemptuous attitude) and '轻蔑地看' (to look at someone with disdain). Ensure you use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings, as tone errors can lead to different meanings.

HSK Study Tips

While 轻蔑 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to themes of judgment and social hierarchy found in HSK levels 4 and above. Focus on understanding the nuance of disdain in social contexts, as it helps in grasping more complex conversations and writings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 轻蔑 with similar terms like '轻视' (qīngshì, to belittle). For example, saying '我对你轻视' (I disdain you) is incorrect; use 轻蔑 instead. Additionally, mix-ups with tones can lead to misunderstandings, so practice the pronunciation carefully.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 轻蔑

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Component characters

轻qīnglight
HSK 49 strokes车
View full entry
蔑mièto belittle
14 strokes艹
View full entry

How to say to contempt in Chinese

“to contempt” in Chinese is轻蔑qīngmiè

轻蔑 (qīngmiè) means to regard someone or something with contempt or disdain, often implying a sense of superiority over the subject. It is commonly used in contexts where one expresses a lack of respect or scorn, particularly in social or interpersonal situations. The term carries a negative connotation and can reflect one's judgment of another's worth or abilities.

When to use 轻蔑

Be cautious using 轻蔑 in formal contexts, as it can come across as rude or insulting. Common collocations include '以轻蔑的态度' (with a contemptuous attitude) and '轻蔑地看' (to look at someone with disdain). Ensure you use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings, as tone errors can lead to different meanings.

轻蔑 or something close to it

轻视 (qīngshì) vs 轻蔑 (qīngmiè): use 轻蔑 when expressing a deeper sense of contempt, while 轻视 indicates a more general lack of regard.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 轻蔑 with similar terms like '轻视' (qīngshì, to belittle). For example, saying '我对你轻视' (I disdain you) is incorrect; use 轻蔑 instead. Additionally, mix-ups with tones can lead to misunderstandings, so practice the pronunciation carefully.

Write 轻蔑

轻
蔑

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Frequently asked questions about 轻蔑

You can say: '他对她的意见表示轻蔑' (He showed disdain for her opinion).

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