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March 24, 2026
虐nüè(nve4)
The character 虐 (nüè) refers to cruelty, oppression, or harsh treatment, often in a context that involves power dynamics. It is commonly used to describe situations where one entity mistreats another, such as in relationships or social hierarchies. This term carries a heavy negative connotation and is often used in discussions about human rights and abuse.
Strokes9Radical虍Frequency#7565DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 虐 is significant in discussions about historical and contemporary human rights abuses in China, reflecting societal concerns over authority and power. It features prominently in literature and films that critique oppressive regimes.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fierce tiger (the radical 虍) that mercilessly oppresses smaller animals in its territory, reminding you of the cruelty associated with the character 虐. The 'è' sound can be linked to a painful exhale, as if one is suffering under oppressive conditions.
Meanings of 虐
nüè(nve4)
primary
1oppressive
2tyrannical
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 虐
虐Simplified
9Strokes
虍Radical
形容词性语素xíngróngcíadjective root (adj.root)Part of Speech
#7565Frequency Rank
Podcast: 虐
Podcast: 虐
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AI Study Notes for 虐
Quick Contrast
虐 (nüè) vs 残 (cán) — use 虐 for contexts specifically involving cruelty or oppression, while 残 emphasizes brutality or cruelty without the same power dynamic implication.
Usage Notes
Be cautious about the context in which you use 虐, as it is quite a strong word that implies severe cruelty or oppression. It is often found in discussions about social issues, literature, or history. Common collocations include 虐待 (nüèdài, to mistreat) and 虐杀 (nüèshā, to kill cruelly).
HSK Study Tips
While 虐 is not included in the HSK levels, it's important for students to connect it with other words related to emotions and power dynamics, such as 恨 (hèn, hate) or 暴力 (bàolì, violence). Focus on understanding the context in which this term is used, as it often appears in more advanced discussions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 虐 with similar-sounding words, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我虐他' ('I oppress him') might be too strong for a casual context, where '我不喜欢他' ('I don't like him') would be more appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 虐
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How Well Do You Know 虐?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 虐 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 虐 (nüè) refers to cruelty, oppression, or harsh treatment, often in a context that involves power dynamics. It is commonly used to describe situations where one entity mistreats another, such as in relationships or social hierarchies. This term carries a heavy negative connotation and is often used in discussions about human rights and abuse.
When to use 虐
Be cautious about the context in which you use 虐, as it is quite a strong word that implies severe cruelty or oppression. It is often found in discussions about social issues, literature, or history. Common collocations include 虐待 (nüèdài, to mistreat) and 虐杀 (nüèshā, to kill cruelly).
虐 or something close to it
虐 (nüè) vs 残 (cán) — use 虐 for contexts specifically involving cruelty or oppression, while 残 emphasizes brutality or cruelty without the same power dynamic implication.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 虐 with similar-sounding words, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我虐他' ('I oppress him') might be too strong for a casual context, where '我不喜欢他' ('I don't like him') would be more appropriate.
Write 虐
虐
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Practice writing 虐 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 虐
虐 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他要调查的正是这一类____待行为。
That's just the sort of abuse that he will be investigating.
Example Sentences for 虐 (10)
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1
他要调查的正是这一类虐待行为。
tā yào tiáo chá de zhèng shì zhè yī lèi nüè dài háng wéi。
That's just the sort of abuse that he will be investigating.
